Chelsea have been warned by the UK government that they are "on borrowed time" over the sale of the club.
Abramovich confirmed last month that he was selling the Blues and the club are desperate to secure new ownership as soon as possible as they continue to feel the impact of the UK government’s sanctions on Abramovich’s assets. Barclays have also suspended the club's bank account and there's a possibility the Blues could face financial armageddon between now and the summer due to the precarious situation.
The Blues are desperate to secure a new owner amid a budget crisis, with their funds dictated by the British government in the wake of the UK sanctions imposed on Abramovich due to his alleged links to Russia president Vladimir Putin. Those sanctions were subsequently followed by the EU, which means that any of his assets that are in EU territory could be taken and frozen.
As things stand, Chelsea still cannot sell tickets for their matches – meaning that there is a growing number of empty seats for the club’s matches at Stamford Bridge. Furthermore, it means that they cannot agree contract extensions for new players with both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen set to leave the club as free agents this summer with deals said to be in place with Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
There remains a number of contenders in the running to become Abramovich’s successor at Stamford Bridge, with the likes of Stephen Pagliuca, Todd Boehly and Sir Martin Broughton all spearheading their own consortiums. The Ricketts Family are no longer in the running, leaving three offers on the table.
UK culture secretary Nadine Dorries told BBC Newcast on Thursday: “Chelsea is being sold, as you know, and the sanctions apply, so those sanctions still apply during the sale. But what I will say actually, is that Chelsea is very much on borrowed time at the moment. There is a very short window left fort that sale to take place. It has to happen soon.”
Adam Fleming, Chief Political Correspondent then asked: “And what happens if the window closes and it is not sold?” To which Dorries evaded any clear answer: “Well, I’m not going to go into those conversations, but I think it’s just enough for me to say there is a very short window, and the club has to be sold soon.”
The BBC’s Chris Mason then asked: “And by soon are we talking what, in the next –” before Dorries instantly replied: “Weeks.” The government minister then added: “Chelsea, all I would say is that Chelsea is very much on borrowed time right now.”
