The remaining bidders for Chelsea have been given several extra days to submit their final bids for the club, according to reports, ahead of what is set to be a world record sale for a football club. It comes following Roman Abramovich’s decision to sell the club, with the final sale figure estimated to be between £2-3billion.
The Russian businessman has decided to step aside after almost 20-years at Stamford Bridge, with sanctions placed upon him by the UK Government restricting his assets following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The decision was due to his apparent links with Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, Roman Abramovich has always denied these links.
Bids for the Blues are currently being handled by Raine Bank, who have slimmed down the options to four remaining bidders. The four bidders are believed to be Sir Martin Broughton, Todd Boehly, Steve Pagliuca and the Ricketts Family.
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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has already given his blessing to whoever the new owners will be, saying back in March: “I think if somebody buys a club for this kind of money then it’s about challenging at the highest kind of level, then it’s about trophies, then it’s about winning and it’s about being the best you can. It's not about developing a project, it's not about making money with the club."
A number of investors involved in the deal are said to have landed in London for talks over the bids as well as proof of their funding to run the club. Chelsea fans have already had their say on the situation, with a protest against the Ricketts’ bid due to historical comments from a family member who isn’t involved in the potential takeover.
With a decision over a preferred bidder from Raine Bank in due course, the bidders have been given extra time to file a final offer before it is assessed. That is according to Sky News, who reports that all four have until the back end of next week to submit their offers.
With extra time given, it remains to be seen if anyone leaves it late to change their offers or increase them to try and beat their competitors. However, it appears that the end of the takeover saga could be in sight for the Blues.
