Just in : Roman Abramovich has put Chelsea up for sale by inviting potential buyers to bid for the club this week.
Interested parties are thought to have been told Abramovich wants around £4 billion for the club.
Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has since confirmed he is one of the parties who has been given the opportunity to make an offer.
It is understood that potential buyers have been contacted by an American-based merchant bank, claiming to be in charge of the sale of Chelsea.
Interested parties are thought to have been told that Abramovich wants around £4 billion for Chelsea.
Sources close to the process believe that he can only expect to receive bids in the region of £2bn
Abramovich has previously turned down offers worth £2.2bn for Chelsea, while the club’s debt to him is £1.51bn
Chelsea’s statement
A statement released just minutes ago reads
I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners
The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club. Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.
Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club.
I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.
Roman Abramovich