Chelsea are being targeted by three groups interested in purchasing the club in a deal worth a reported £2.5 billion.
Earlier this month Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, was reported to be interested in buying the club from current owner Roman Abramovich but is now believed to be facing competition from other parties.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has insisted Abramovich remains committed to the club, despite the Russian having failed to attend a game since being denied a visa extension in May 2018. The 53-year-old subsequently sought Israeli citizenship.
Abramovich has owned Chelsea since purchasing the club for just £140m in 2003, helping to transform the West London side into one of Europe’s leading clubs with years of significant investment.
After over 15 years in charge, the Russian billionaire could potentially be open to selling the club, with the Daily Mail reporting alongside Ratcliffe, US and Asian-backed finance groups are also interested.
Ratcliffe’s valuation of the club is believed to be considerably lower than the £2.5bn it has been reported Abramovich would want to sell the club, with the billionaire chemical engineer having also expressed an interest in French side Nice.