It's almost completely closed.
Premier League club Chelsea announced on Saturday that its takeover by a consortium led by American Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team since buying the franchise from Frank McCourt, the now chairman of the OM, should be finalized on Monday.
The British government and the Premier League have approved the takeover for 4.25 billion pounds, or 5 billion euros.
"Chelsea Football Club can confirm that a final and binding agreement was reached last night to sell the club to the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital consortium," the club said in a statement.
The transaction is expected to close on Monday.
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Abramovich sends "his best wishes for success" to future owners
Chelsea went up for sale in early March, days before Roman Abramovich, its owner since 2003, was sanctioned by the British government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The British government considers Abramovich to be part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle.
The oligarch is also the target of sanctions from the European Union.
“The ownership of this club involves great responsibilities, commented the Russian billionaire in a press release published on the club's website, which has won everything during the 19 years under his command.
My goal (during the sale) has been to ensure that the next owner will have the mindset that will allow the men's and women's teams to succeed.
I am glad that this research has been completed.
As I hand over to the new owners, I send them my best wishes for success, on and off the field.
Being part of this club has been the honor of a lifetime.
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The consortium that will buy Chelsea is led by Boehly, but the Californian private equity firm Clearlake Capital would hold the majority of the club's capital.
Other investors include US billionaire Mark Walter, who is one of the Dodgers' co-owners with Boehly, and Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss.
The Portuguese government also ratified the sale.
Portugal's approval was necessary, as Abramovich holds a Portuguese passport and resides in that country.
