Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak has, on Friday, confirmed that he has tabled an offer to purchase Chelsea Football Club.
The subject of ongoings at Stamford Bridge has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines across the week to date.
This comes with beloved owner Abramovich, whose wealth has proven so crucial to Chelsea’s emergence as a European heavyweight, having first confirmed his intention to ‘give trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC’.
This came owing to mounting scrutiny on the Russian oligarch based on his ties to Vladimir Putin, amid the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich looks on from the stands during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Whilst, initially, it appeared as though Abramovich had little intention to part ways with Chelsea on a permanent basis, though, the situation, on Wednesday, took a drastic turn.
Amid the very real threat of having his assets seized by the UK government, the Blues’ long-time chief released a 2nd statement, confirming that the club, indeed, had been put up for sale:
”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.”
And now, as alluded to above, it appears that a major proposal to take Chelsea off Abramovich’s hands has indeed arrived.
As confirmed by Muhsin Bayrak, a Turkish billionaire with pre-existing ties to London, he is currently locked in negotiations with Abramovich’s team of lawyers.
In fact, Bayrak goes as far as to state that ‘we will soon fly the Turkish flag in London’.
Clarets test
Turning attentions back towards matters on the pitch itself, Chelsea are of course set to return to action tomorrow afternoon, in a Premier League showdown with Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
The Blues will head into proceedings eyeing something of a bounce-back performance, having followed up a Carabao Cup finale defeat at the hands of Liverpool by scraping past Luton Town in the FA Cup during the week.
As things stand, Thomas Tuchel’s troops sit 3rd in the Premier League table, a full sixteen points adrift of leaders Manchester City, but three points clear of Manchester United in 4th, whilst boasting two games in hand.
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Posted On AfroNaija First : Roman Abramovich receives offer to buy Chelsea: ‘We will fly the Turkish flag in London’
