Chelsea

Swiss billionaire 'offered chance to buy Chelsea'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 02 March 2022

Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss claims that he has been offered the opportunity to buy Chelsea as Roman Abramovich allegedly considers selling the Premier League club.

Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has claimed that owner Roman Abramovich wants to "get rid of Chelsea quickly" amid potential sanctions from the British government.

Since Russia president Vladimir Putin ordered the military invasion of Ukraine last week, it has been widely speculated that Russian oligarchs such as Abramovich could have their British assets seized or frozen.

On Saturday evening, Abramovich released a statement to say that he was relinquishing stewardship and care of the Premier League club, a move which is yet to be made official.

While Chelsea have allegedly insisted that the club is not for sale, Wyss has suggested that he is one of several people to be offered the opportunity to launch a takeover bid.

Speaking to Swiss newspaper Blick, Wyss said: "Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly. I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich. I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much.

"You know, Chelsea owe him £2bn. But Chelsea has no money. As of today, we don't know the exact selling price. I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners. But I have to examine the general conditions first."

Abramovich is also said to have been asked by Ukraine to try to aid attempt to 'resolve the current conflict peacefully'.