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Football London
Football London
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Danyal Khan

Saudi Media have already been spotted at Stamford Bridge amid Roman Abramovich Chelsea takeover

The head of Saudi Media Mohamed-Al Khereiji has already made his Chelsea intentions known with what he was spotted doing at the end of 2021 amid Roman Abramovich sale talks.

As first reported by Goal, the Saudi group have expressed their interest in the sale of the Blues, with Abramovich confirming in a statement last week that he will be selling the west London club.

The likes of Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss' US-Swiss consortium have too made their interest known - with Abramovich valuing the club at £3billion.

Al Khereiji and his Saudi Media company have joined the likes of New York Jets owner Robert 'Woody' Johnson and Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Randadive as potential buyers for the club.

However, no immediate solution is expected in spite of initial optimism that any takeover deal could be conducted quickly.

Initial reports of any deal going through quickly were fuelled by Premier League Chief Richard Masters but all talk of any deal has dried up since.

“I think the quickest one we have ever done is ten days but that’s not to say that record cannot be beaten,” Masters told the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, via the Evening Standard.

“Normally it will take a number of weeks but that will depend on the complexity of the deal really and the number of potential owners.

“Provided that the information is easily digestible, easily understandable and gives us the right answers, it can be done relatively quickly."

He added: “It is the right decision, the situation has escalated incredibly quickly over the last seven days and he has come to the right conclusion that it is unsustainable in the current environment.

“It is a welcome decision and obviously for the sake of everyone, including the fans, the sooner the selling process concludes and completes, the sooner everyone will have certainty.”

Whilst we wait for the latest concrete developments on the new owner race, it remains to be seen whether Saudi Media will make a formal offer.

The head of the Saudi Media group has already shown visible interest in purchasing the west London outfit with what he did back at the end of November 2021.

Al Khereiji, the group's CEO and leader, was present in one of the hospitality boxes in SW6 when Chelsea and Man United played out a 1-1 draw courtesy of goals from Jadon Sancho and Jorginho.

After the game, the man in question posted a tweet showing himself present at the Bridge and it read when translated from Arabic: "From encounter #Chelsea_United

"The atmosphere of Mrsool Park will be better with the upcoming legendary confrontations.

"Starting from 14 December."

A comedic tweet from a billionaire who had promoted one of the big stadiums back in Saudi Arabia with his Stamford Bridge comparison.

Whether or not Saudi Media do indeed take over at Chelsea remains to be seen.

You can find out more on who this Middle Eastern group are here.

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