Abramovich ‘opens talks to buy new club’ amid Chelsea sale

Will Ford
Abramovich Chelsea

Roman Abramovich has reportedly opened talks to buy a new football club with the process of selling Chelsea ongoing.

Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale at the start of March before being hit by sanctions by the UK government.


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He had his assets frozen as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, due to his alleged ties with president Vladimir Putin.

But according to Turkish publication Fanatik (via Mirror), Abramovich is already making moves to buy another club, Turkish Super Lig outfit Goztepe.

Reports of him ‘opening talks’ with Goztepe come just days after his super-yachts docked in Turkey, triggering a protest from a group of Ukrainians, who failed to prevent the vessels’ arrival.

Turkey has close links to both Russia and Ukraine, and while the country has been critical of Putin’s invasion, has attempted to remain neutral in a bid to mediate between the nations.

And crucially, for Abramovich, the attempt to play peace-maker means they are not currently sanctioning Russians.

Meanwhile, Abramovich has reportedly made demands of the new owners to secure the future of Chelsea Football Club.

Raine Group, the bank overseeing the sale of the club, set a deadline of last Friday for all interested parties to submit their official bids for the club, though bids are said to have been added to and increased this week.

The Athletic report that despite having his assets frozen, Abramovich still has a say in the sale of Chelsea.

And the Russian oligarch is said to have told Raine Group to pick the best bid rather than the biggest, with three keys to a successful future for the club highlighted.

Abramovich wants to ensure that the new owners have ‘a proven track record, a vision for the club and easy access to funds’.

Less than ten ‘serious’ bids are said to have been put forward, with Raine Group hoping for the process to be completed by the end of the month.

A shortlist of four parties thought to be the best fit is reportedly being made by the merchant bank, though other reports suggest the club have ‘effectively chosen’ the preferred bidders themselves.