Abramovich sale: Bayrak claims ‘90% chance’ of Chelsea takeover
Turkish billionaire Murshan Bayrak claims he has a “90% chance” of completing a deal to buy Chelsea, and “Abramovich thinks the same”.
Abramovich has already received several serious bids for Chelsea, with more expected amid high interest in the Champions League and Club World Cup holders.
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American billionaire Boehly and Swiss magnate Wyss are understood to have made their formal bid submission on Tuesday, but Abramovich is thought to be reserving judgement amid a full review of the offer.
New York merchant bank the Raine Group is conducting the bid process for Abramovich, who has moved to sell Chelsea after owning the Stamford Bridge club since 2003.
Few have spoken publicly about their plan, but Bayrak, the chairman of construction company AB Group, claims “some progress” has been made in talks.
“We have reached a certain stage,” he confirmed in an interview with Oda TV (via Sport Witness).
“Our law and finance department will start talks with theirs in London on Thursday. That’s the way it is at this point. On Thursday, we will notify the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP).
“People are talking about it, we made some progress in the talks, and the world believes we have a 90% chance of completing the deal. Abramovich thinks the same.”
Bayrak was asked about the exact amount he has offered Abramovich, after reports emerged he planned to pay £2.5billion.
“I won’t tell you (the exact figure). We need to manage this process very well, or we will lose,” he said.
“There are countries in the world that don’t want Turkey to buy it. Let’s keep this a little secret. Let’s get the consent by Thursday.
“We didn’t give that price (£2.5billion) to the British press. Our offer is under that, I’ll at least say that.”
A clutch of US investors are also eyeing bids for Chelsea, with a number of current sports franchise owners harbouring strong interest.
Chelsea’s natural state of flux amid the pending sale could delay negotiations with current players and possible summer transfer targets.
Barcelona are now understood to be confident of completing a deal to prise Andreas Christensen away from Chelsea on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Denmark defender Christensen is out of contract in the summer, and is now likely to leave Stamford Bridge having been with the Blues since 2013.
Thomas Tuchel had revealed Christensen was close to a new deal in November, but the 25-year-old later changed his agent and had an apparent change of heart.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and talismanic centre-back Antonio Rudiger are also out of contract in the summer.
Barcelona have pushed hard to recruit Azpilicueta on a free transfer, while Chelsea were thought to have been confident of striking a new deal with Germany defender Rudiger before Abramovich’s decision to sell.
Rudiger had been expected to leave his contract decision until the end of the season in any case, amid strong interest from Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and, latterly, Manchester United.
