CONOR MCGREGOR has revealed he is serious about trying to buy Chelsea Football Club.
Earlier this week the MMA superstar tweeted that he was putting forward a £1.5billion bid for the West London outfit.
McGregor has stated his interest in purchasing a football club
Abramovich has put Chelsea up for sale this week
Many felt McGregor’s proposal was in jest as he is known for bravado on social media.
But the Irishman has now confirmed he is unquestionably interested in purchasing Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
And he also threw his hat in the ring for future purchases of Manchester United and Celtic.
Responding to speculation about whether or not he will try to buy Chelsea, McGregor tweeted: “I do not speak in jest. I am exploring this, as I said.
“Celtic from Dermot Desmond, Manchester United from the Glaziers, and now the recently up for sale Chelsea football club. All being explored.
“A football franchise purchase is in my future make no mistake about it.”
McGregor’s £1.5bn bid is thought to be a way off the £3bn Abramovich is asking for.
However, a formal offer from the UFC man is thought to be much more than what he claimed on social media.
According to Sky, McGregor’s management company Paradigm Sports is working closely with McGregor Sports & Entertainment and Empowerment IP Capital – which is headed up by sports financier Stephen Duval.
And there are also reports McGregor’s consortium are talking with a major global asset management company – who could provide the backing to finance a deal of this magnitude.
A number of bidders are thought to be interested in securing Chelsea from Abramovich.
Moneyball genius Billy Beane is one businessperson eyeing up a move for the club as part of a corporation.
Michael Rubin, owner of sports merchandise group Fanatics, is also though to be interested in bidding for the club.
And it was reported earlier this week that Todd Boehly, part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the LA Lakers, is liaising with Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss over a potential bid.
Meanwhile, reports earlier this week stated Abramovich flew on a private jet to Turkey to potentially discuss the sale with Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak.
The £48.7million luxury 2019 Gulfstream G650ER aircraft – one of six in his fleet – flew from Moscow and briefly landed in Istanbul before heading to Turkish capital Ankara.
Bayrak claims that he has been locked in negotiations with Abramovich over buying the Premier League club and insists he is ‘in the negotiation phase for the signatures’.
Meanwhile, SunSport exclusively revealed Abramovich could have bought Arsenal before he purchased Chelsea – only to be mistakenly told the Gunners were not for sale.
