(Football news) Roman Abramovich and Chelsea FC have received a joint bid by US businessman Todd Boehly and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss. Boehly is part owner of MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers and previously attempted to buy Chelsea in 2019 in a £2.2billion deal. He has now teamed up with Hansjorg Wyss to purchase the London based club while US billionaire Josh Harris, who also has a minority stake in Crystal Palace is also considering making an offer.

Harris has several investments in the sports industry, most notably in the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA and the New Jersey Red Devils of the NHL. US businessman Woody Johnson, heir of the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company is also considering making an offer for Chelsea FC and is the current owner of the New York Jets. He bought the NFL franchise in 2000 but has only won one season since then and hasn't reached the play-offs since 2010. 

Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak publicly said that he had made an offer to buy Chelsea, below the £3 billion asking price set by Roman Abramovich. The Russian oil tycoon had announced his intention to sell Chelsea "in the best interest of the club" in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the uncertainty surrounding the sanctions by the United Kingdom. Abramovich has pledged to donate all the net profits from the sale to the “victims of the war in Ukraine”.

There are many other interested parties in Chelsea such as RedBird Capital Partners who own 11% stake in Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group. However, they will be ineligible to purchase the club due to Premier League regulations while Thomas Ricketts, chairman of MLB side the Chicago Cubs is also said to be interested. One of the most famous potential buyers is none other than MMA fighter Conor McGregor whose management company Paradigm Sports have been working with McGregor Sports & Entertainment and Empowerment IP Capital on a bid. 

Despite a number of potential suitors, a takeover for Chelsea isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. With the number of sanctions placed on Russian banks, oligarchs and business, a high value takeover such as this with Roman Abramovich under the current circumstances would be challenging to say the least. Moreover, Abramovich’s asking price of £3 billion is a vastly inflated price for the club, especially considering that Stamford Bridge is in dire need of redevelopment and it will cost at least £1 billion to do so. Chelsea are not viewed as an ‘investment opportunity’ like Newcastle, simply because they are already the European and World Champions and there is limited room to grow. Meanwhile, a £300 million investment in Newcastle can eventually lead to a £3 billion valuation one day. Only time will tell how the Chelsea deal may pan out but stay tuned for more updates.

Also read: Liverpool barely hold out 10-man Inter amid red card controversy