Muhsin Bayrak has claimed he was about to "finish the job" when it comes to taking over Chelsea Football Club prior to Roman Abramovich being sanctioned.
The Turkish businessman emerged as an interested party last week following Abramovich's statement where he revealed his intention to sell the Blues.
However, news broke this morning (Thursday) that Abramovich has had his assets frozen, which has made the sale of the club much more complicated.
Chelsea FC can still be sold, but the money paid for the club is not allowed to benefit Abramovich. The club are said to be in talks with the UK government over the next steps in the process.
Now, though, according to Bayrak, Chelsea was about to be sold to him, with the Turk claiming the job was almost done in terms of completing the takeover.
"We're in a bad mood. The British government seized it. We were just about to finish the job, applications were made yesterday," Bayrak said, via Gercek Gundem.
"A press conference was going to be held today, and the handover was going to be next week. I'm incredibly depressed."
Chelsea are set to take on Norwich City in the Premier League later this evening and the club confirmed the clash is still scheduled to take place despite the off-the-pitch situation.
Chelsea released this statement following the news regarding Abramovich: "Chelsea Football Club has been advised that its owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK Government.
"By virtue of his 100 per cent ownership of Chelsea FC plc and affiliated entities, Chelsea FC would normally be subjected to the same sanctions as Mr Abramovich. However, the UK Government has issued a general licence that permits Chelsea FC to continue with certain activities.
"We will fulfil our men's and women's team fixtures today against Norwich and West Ham, respectively, and intend to engage in discussions with the UK Government regarding the next scope of the licence.
"This will include seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible.
"We will also be seeking guidance from the UK Government on the impact of these measures on the Chelsea Foundation and its important work in our communities."
