KOMPAS.com – Roman Abramovich reportedly panicked and wanted to sell immediately Chelsea. A Swiss billionaire peeked at the opportunity to acquire the Blues.
Roman Abramovich is under pressure. A number of its assets are threatened with freezing by the British Government as a result of Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
One of the assets owned by the Russian conglomerate is the club Premier League Chelsea, which he has owned since 2003.
A member of the British Labor Party of Parliament claimed that Abramovich, Chris Bryant, said Abramovich was afraid of facing “sanctions” from the British Government.
Therefore, it is claimed Abramovich will soon sell some of his assets, especially Chelsea, to other investors.
Also read: FA Cup: When Tuchel gets angry after being asked about Abramovich and the Russo-Ukrainian war…
Quoted from Goal, Wednesday (2/3/2022), a billionaire from Switzerland Hansjorg Wyss claimed he had been offered Abramovich to buy Chelsea.
“Abramovich was one of Putin’s (Vladimir) closest advisers and friends,” Wyss told Swiss media, Blick.
“Like all oligarchs, he is also panicking. Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea immediately,” he added.
“Me and three others received offers on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich,” said Hansjorg Wyss.
Hansjorg Wyss is a Swiss-born entrepreneur currently living in the United States (US).
Also read: Roman Abramovich Called To Help Russia-Ukraine Peace Effort
He is the founder and former president and chairman of a company that manufactures medical devices, Synthes.
Hansjorg Wyss’s net worth is estimated at 5 billion US dollars (approximately Rp. 71.8 trillion) and has been named one of the most generous people in the world by Forbes.
Wyss has donated millions of dollars to charities in recent years and its charitable foundation, the Wyss Foundation, is said to have assets of more than $2 billion.
Regarding the offer from Abramovich to buy Chelsea, Hansjorg Wyss admitted that he had not made any further decisions.
“I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is asking too much at the moment. You know, Chelsea owe him £2 billion? Chelsea have no money. That means those who bought Chelsea have to compensate Abramovich,” Wyss said.
Also read: Tracing Roman Abramovich’s Relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia
“Until today, we do not know the exact selling price. I can imagine starting at Chelsea with a partner, but I have to check the general conditions first,” said the 86-year-old man.
“However, what I can say is that I definitely didn’t do anything like this alone. If I bought Chelsea, it would have to be with a consortium of six to seven investors,” Wyss said.
On Sunday (27/2/2022), Roman Abramovich has made an official statement that he handed over the “management and care” of Chelsea FC to the board of directors of the Blues foundation.
Also read: Tuchel’s response to Roman Abramovich’s departure from Chelsea
Local media including Football London believes that Abramovich’s statement was an attempt by the tycoon to step back and protect Chelsea after Russia invaded Ukraine.
However, Chelsea’s charitable foundation reportedly has not agreed to take over control of the club as desired by Abramovich.
Get updates news of choice and breaking news every day from Kompas.com. Let’s join the Telegram group “Kompas.com News Update”, how to click the link https://t.me/kompascomupdate, then join. You must first install the Telegram application on your cellphone.–