The Russian billionaire will listen to offers as the pressure for him to sell Chelsea grows in wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has put the club up for sale by inviting interested parties to make offers by the end of this week.
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has left Abramovich under pressure to sell up. To spare Chelsea of any sanctions from the UK government, he passed on ‘stewardship and care’ of the club to its trustees on Saturday.
However, the trustees are yet to respond to Abramovich’s request. They’re seeking legal advice first, having filed a report to the UK’s 
Charity Commission already.
On top of that, Chris Bryant, the Labour MP and head of the parliamentary standards committee in the UK, has claimed the Russian oligarch is selling his properties in the country to avoid financial sanctions.
“I think he [#Abramovich] is terrified of being sanctioned, which is why he’s already going to sell his home tomorrow, and sell another flat as well. My anxiety is that we’re taking too long about these things.”Labour MP @RhonddaBryant has revealed in the Commons. https://t.co/FDxet9t1xz
— The Citizens (@allthecitizens) March 2, 2022
Abramovich wants around £4 billion
The Telegraph has now added that he has put Chelsea up for sale and wants around £4 billion (€4.8bn).
The British outlet, however, states sources close to the process expect bids to be around £2 billion (€2.4bn) instead, exactly half of what Abramovich wants.
The 55-year-old has previously rejected takeover bids worth £2.2 billion, while Chelsea’s debt to him is £1.51 billion.
At least three parties are interested in buying Chelsea. An American-based merchant bank is said to have contacted potential buyers, including Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss.
“Like all other oligarchs, he [Abramovich] is also in a panic,” Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick.
“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.
“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. But what I can already say: I’m definitely not doing something like this alone. If I buy Chelsea, then with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors.”
Chelsea will be in action in the FA Cup later on Wednesday evening when they take on Luton Town in the fifth round. The Blues are heavy favorites and look good value for a win, with odds available at 1.36 at the time of writing.
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