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The Pride of London: Choreo of Chelsea Fans
Photo:
GLYN KIRK / AFP
Chelsea FC is about to be sold and taken over by a new investor.
Subject to the approval of the Premier League and the British government, the top club from London agreed on a deal worth 4.25 billion pounds (around 5 billion euros) with a group of investors led by American entrepreneur Todd Boehly.
This was announced by the Champions League winner.
"The sale is expected to be completed by the end of May," says Chelsea's website.
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Todd Boehly
Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP
In addition to Boehly and Mark Walter, who are co-owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball club, the consortium also includes the Swiss multi-billionaire Hansjörg Wyss, according to media reports.
The largest stake in the London club is likely to be held by US investor Clearlake Capital in the future.
The British chemical company Ineos and its boss Jim Ratcliffe probably entered the competition too late with a competing offer.
Two billion euros go directly to the club
Great Britain had frozen the assets of former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine – including the top English football club, which has therefore been up for sale since March.
The government wants to ensure that the Russian oligarch does not personally benefit from the sale.
According to the club, 2.5 billion pounds (3 billion euros) are now to be transferred to a currently frozen account whose transactions are being monitored by the British government.
As confirmed by Abramovich, 100 percent of the proceeds are to be donated here.
Another 1.75 billion pounds (2 billion euros) are to be invested directly in the club coached by Thomas Tuchel.
“I heard that there is a preferred bidder and things are going well,” said Tuchel on Friday: “Clarity is best.
When the situation is clear, we are able to act and make decisions. "The unclear situation is stressful for his players and has consequences for all planning.
“We've tried to keep the matter out of the spotlight as much as possible.
But of course it is omnipresent,” said the former Bundesliga coach.
sak/sid/dpa