BRITISH billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is in the frame to buy Chelsea after Roman Abramovich announced he is selling up.
Ratcliffe – one the UK’s richest men, worth £6BILLION, and a Stamford Bridge season ticket holder – is considering put in an offer via his Ineos empire.
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is interested in buying Chelsea
And SunSport understands at least two other groups are also pondering a bid.
Abramovich has written off his £1.5bn debt to push through his stunning Blues sale.
The Russian wants a £3bn deal to walk away in the aftermath of his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a frenzied day which signalled the end of his 19-year reign, Abramovich confirmed his intention to quit last night.
He said: “I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interests 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, fans, employees, as well as sponsors and partners.”
Switzerland’s richest man Hansjorg Wyss is also believed to be among the interested parties
Abramovich has appointed US bankers Raine Group to find a buyer in the wake of the global backlash over Russia’s invasion.
They were seeking offers in excess of £3bn for <a href="http://<!– wp:paragraph –> <p>They were seeking offers in excess of £3bn for — nearly four times the £790m the Glazers paid for Manchester United in 2005.</p> Chelsea — nearly four times the £790m the Glazers paid for Manchester United in 2005.
Raine Group had initially been asking for “indicative bids” by tomorrow but Abramovich suggested he is prepared to wait.
He added: “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.
“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, providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”
The statement came after Switzerland’s richest man, US-based Hansjorg Wyss, claimed he had been approached by Abramovich on Tuesday.
Wyss, who is working with US billionaire and LA Dodgers’ part-owner Todd Boehly, said: “Abramovich is one of Vladimir Putin’s closest advisers and friends.
“Like all other oligarchs, he is also in a panic. Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England.
“He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly. Abramovich is currently asking far too much. Chelsea has no money. We don’t know the exact selling price.”
Abramovich wants to say a personal farewell to the Chelsea fans — despite having been a rare visitor to the UK since his Tier One “golden visa” lapsed in 2018.
He said: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make and it pains me to part with the club in this manner.
“I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person.
“It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements.
“Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.”
After beating Luton 3-2 in the FA Cup last night, boss Thomas Tuchel said: “I’m not a CEO or board member but I’m sure the club will speak to us and clarify the situation.
“It’s very hard for me to take in because I can only think about Chelsea with Roman Abramovich and this is a massive change but I’m never afraid of change.
“We tried to cancel the noise and stay focussed which is not always easy.
“We are not living on an island. The guys have internet connections in the hotel and the TV is running, so we see the news and the rumours.
“Some are not so attached from it, some are maybe more concerned. It’s normal.
“To play a match on the same day when focus is key to win, it is not so easy and it makes it a bigger performance. That is why I am very happy.”
