Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of becoming part-owners of the French top tier side Strasbourg.
The Guardian reports that the Blues are 'close' to securing a stake in the Blue and Whites after talks with the club's Ligue 1 rivals Bordeaux. It has been reported that a move for Strasbourg could make more sense financially, though there is talk that the final fee for a stake in the club could depend on whether they retain their Ligue 1 status this season.
Strasbourg, 14th, are five points above the relegation zone with three matches left to play, with Nantes in 17th and ten points clear of Ajaccio a place below them. Chelsea part-owner Todd Boehly has expressed an interest in buying another club in Europe and recently saw a $44 million bid for the Portuguese club Portimonense rejected according to reports in the country.
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He bid for 75 per cent of the club having been in dialogue with representatives of the Primeira Liga side since summer last year. Boehly wants to emulate the work of the City Football Group, owners of Manchester City, who have brought clubs into their portfolio from the United States of America, Spain and Australia.
The Red Bull group has also been successful in implementing a multi-club model with Red Bull Salzburg, the New York Red Bulls and RB Leipzig. "We've talked about having a multi-club model," Boehly said previously.
"I would love to continue to build out the footprint. There are different countries where there are advantages to having a club.
"Red Bull does a good job, Man City has a big network of clubs. Our goal is to ensure pathways for our young stars to get on to the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time.
"To do that is through another club in a really competitive league in Europe."
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