Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak has confirmed that he has progressed with an offer to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, following the Russian's decision to put the club up for sale.
A number of names have been mentioned in relation to purchasing the reigning European champions with offers rumoured to also be coming from the USA and Saudi Arabia.
Few have spoken publicly about their plan, but this week saw Bayrak, the chairman of construction company AB Group, give an interview in Turkey about his own move.
Bayrak even went as far to claim that he and Abramovich both believe that there is a 90% chance of a deal being done.
“We have reached a certain stage," he confirmed in an interview with Oda TV (via Sport Witness) on Tuesday.
"Our law and finance department will start talks with theirs in London on Thursday. That’s the way it is at this point. On Thursday, we will notify the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP).
"People are talking about it, we made some progress in the talks, and the world believes we have a 90% chance of completing the deal. Abramovich thinks the same."
Bayrak was asked directly about the exact amount he has offered Abramovich to purchase the club, after reports emerged he planned to pay £2.5billion.
But the billionaire confirmed that his offer would be below that amount, despite reports that Abramovich is eager to get around £4billion for the Blues.
"I won’t tell you (the exact figure). We need to manage this process very well, or we will lose," he said.
"There are countries in the world that don’t want Turkey to buy it. Let’s keep this a little secret. Let’s get the consent by Thursday.
"We didn’t give that price (£2.5billion) to the British press. Our offer is under that, I’ll at least say that."
