LONDON (AFP) – A consortium led by United States (US) businessman Todd Boehly and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has made an offer to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, according to British media reports on Tuesday.
Boehly, who is a part owner of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, previously attempted to purchase the Blues in a GBP2.2 billion deal two years ago.
The Daily Telegraph reported that his latest bid had been submitted through the New York-based merchant bank Raine.
A spokesperson for Abramovich declined to comment to AFP in London.
Russian-born billionaire Abramovich said last week he was putting Chelsea up for sale after 19 trophy-laden years in charge of the west London club.
His decision followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although Abramovich has not been named on a growing British sanctions list targetting Russian banks, businesses and tycoons.
The Financial Times said Josh Harris, another US billionaire, was also considering making a bid for Chelsea, citing people familiar with the matter.
Harris, a former senior executive at investment company Apollo Global Management, is already the managing owner of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.
He also co-owns a stake in Crystal Palace, another London club that plays in the Premier League, something he would likely have to sell were he to be involved in the purchase of Chelsea.
Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak has also expressed interest in buying Chelsea.
Abramovich purchased Chelsea after making his fortune following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s when Russia privatised its oil industry.
The oligarch reportedly wants more than GBP3 billion for Chelsea.
