The news that Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale shows the extent of the tension between Russia and Ukraine in global sport.
The Russian tycoon’s decision came amid growing rumors that the British government could freeze his assets. This is the product of the escalation of sanctions that have been implemented in Europe against various oligarchs born in Russia.
Abramovich, apparently aware of the situation, assured that the money from the sale of the club will go to a foundation for the benefit of all the victims of the war in Ukraine. Now, a question remains in the air: How much can Chelsea be worth and who wants to buy it?
The Chelsea sale
According to what some British portals have been able to anticipate, the sale price of Chelsea would be close to 3,500 million euros. In 2003, Abramovich paid 170 million euros. And, according to the latest research presented by the magazine ‘Forbes’, the English team would be worth 3,200 million dollars (a value very close to what the English press rates in euros).
Within hours of the news being made public, the bidders began to arrive. UFC fighter Connor McGregor was one of the first to express interest in him.
“I would like to explore this Chelsea”, McGregor wrote on his Twitter account, showing a WhatsApp conversation about the possible purchase of the London team. In the image that accompanied the message you could read: “Chelsea for sale for three billion pounds. Let’s buy”.
Shortly after that message, he posted a short video of an animation in which he is seen giving a press conference with a background of the club’s logos, just as if he were the owner of Chelsea.
Although McGregor accumulates a vast fortune, it does not seem very likely that he will stay with the club. Meanwhile, Hansjorg Wyssa Swiss medical device manufacturer, could be a stronger option.
“I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking too much. Chelsea owes him 2.414 million. As of today, we don’t know the exact asking price.”Wyss said Wednesday.
There are different versions about the calculation of the fortune of this 86-year-old businessman. Estimates range from $5 billion to $8.9 billion. His name gained fame in 2015 when his foundation donated hundreds of millions to environmental causes to protect wildlife and various parks in the western United States.
At the moment, there is nothing concrete. Only that Chelsea will not continue in the hands of the one who promoted its brilliance in the 21st century.
SPORTS
*With information from La Nación, from Argentina.
From the Newspaper Group of America (GDA)
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