It was already apparent at the weekend, but now it is confirmed: Chelsea FC have new owners.
After more than three months, Chelsea FC finally have certainty. The team around coach Thomas Tuchel and the German internationals Kai Havertz and Timo Werner has been taken over. And it is from a consortium around the US businessman Todd Boehly. This was announced by the Premier League club on Monday afternoon.
This puts an end to the saga surrounding ex-owner Roman Abramovich and the sale of his shares in CFC. At the end of February, the Russian had announced that he was leaving the club after almost 20 years, and a few days later Chelsea was officially put up for sale. Since then, the search has been on for a new financial backer.
On Saturday, Abramovich had already reached a final agreement with the US investors on the sale. According to British media, the price for the sale is 4.25 billion pounds. The proceeds from the sale are to be used for humanitarian purposes – specifically for war victims in Ukraine – and will not go directly or indirectly to the Chelsea owner.
After more than 250 enquiries: L.A. played a role
Abramovich is on the British as well as the EU sanctions list over Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The future of the club was at times uncertain due to the imposition of sanctions against it. Nevertheless, according to the club, there were more than 250 enquiries from potential buyers.
In the end, three out of twelve “credible offers” remained. In the end, the consortium around Boehly, which had stood out from the others, won the bid. Also because the parties involved had already shown their strength through their involvement as owners of the baseball team Los Angeles Dodgers as well as the basketball teams Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Sparks, a statement from the Chelsea board said.
Can Chelsea make transfers again soon?
The third-placed team in the past Premier League season thanked coach Thomas Tuchel, among others, for his patience and support during the difficult period. Due to the sanctions, the club was not allowed to sign new players or negotiate contracts. This is now expected to change.
