US tycoon Todd Boehly will have to reassure fans about his finances ahead of a potential Chelsea takeover.
There are genuine concerns among Chelsea supporters about whether an American owner would be prepared to bankroll the club and keep them among Europe’s elite. They have also seen the Glazer family use a leveraged buyout at Manchester United as well as take money out of the club because US owners often build self sustaining models rather than use their own wealth.
Boehly, who is part owner of the LA Dodgers, has teamed up with Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and Jonathan Goldstein and have backing in their bid from California-based investment firm Clearlake Capital. But they are also reported to have sought advice from Goldman Sachs, the powerful Wall Street investment bank, in their bid to push through a quick sale.
US brokers Raine are overseeing a sale and Todd Boehly’s consortium are viewed as among the front runners as they bidders are set to be whittled down. But their level of investment and ambition will be top of the agenda as the potential buyers continue to engage with fans in the process.
Roman Abramovich has plunged his own wealth into Chelsea, he insists he will write off a £1.5billion debt accumulated over the years and there will be concerns about potential interest from loans to buy the club. Raine were appointed by Abramovich with Chelsea effectively still having a say in the takeover even though the Government will have to issue a licence for any deal to go ahead and will also ensure the ousted Russian oligarch does not get a penny.
Some Chelsea fans favour the Centricus bid because it involves four lifelong fans while the Ricketts family and Sir Martin Broughton have also made offers.
Chelsea fans, who would you like to buy the club? Have your say here
Meanwhile, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust are demanding the Government amend its new “unfounded and illogical” licence to allow home fans to buy tickets.
Away fans can buy tickets at Stamford Bridge with money going to the Premier League to give to charities for war victims in Ukraine. But no new home tickets can be bought by Chelsea fans because of the sanctions imposed on Abramovich.
Dominic Rosso, of the CST, said: “Why can’t they do the same with Chelsea fans? The money goes to the Premier League and is then sent to a good cause. So why is the average Chelsea fan being punished when they’ve done nothing wrong?”
