A SWISS billionaire claimed he is in talks to buy Chelsea as Roman Abramovich eyes a ‘quick sale’ amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But Hansjorg Wyss added he would only purchase the world champions alongside a group of other ‘six or seven’ other investors and if the oligarch drops the alleged £2billion asking price.
Hansjorg Wyss is in talks to buy Chelsea as part of a consortium
Roman Abramovich could be tempted to sell the club he has owned since 2003
The 86-year-old is said to be worth a reported £4.3billion.
Abramovich is understood to want to keep the club but could be tempted to sell and get his loan money back as uncertainty rises over Russian-owned assets.
Abramovich has loaned the club £1.5bn through holding company Fordstam, although he has shown no signs of ever demanding repayment.
It has also been claimed he is preparing to sell his mansion in London’s Kensington Palace Gardens imminently.
Previous soundings-out of bids up to £2.2bn for the club have been rejected out of hand – but now potential buyers are testing the waters to see if the Russian will sell up, 19 years after his takeover.
Wyss told Blick in Switzerland: “Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly.
“I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.
“I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much.
“You know, Chelsea owe him £2bn. But Chelsea has no money.
“As of today, we don’t know the exact selling price.”
Wyss founded medical device manufacturer Synthes USA in 1977 and sold the company to Johnson & Johnson for £15.2bn in 2012.
He has been dubbed as one of the most philanthropic people in the world, donating hundreds of millions of pounds to environmental charities, and signed up to The Giving Pledge, agreeing to give away huge chunks of his fortune.
‘DEFINITELY NOT DOING THIS ALONE’
The Swiss, who has no record of investment or ownership in sport, made it clear he would not want to take on Chelsea alone.
Wyss added: “I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners.
“But I have to examine the general conditions first. But what I can already say: I’m definitely not doing something like this alone.
“If I buy Chelsea, then with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors.”
Abramovich tried to hand over ‘stewardship’ of Chelsea to the six trustees of the club’s foundation on Saturday in a bombshell announcement.
However, he is still the owner of the club and there are further complications over the switch.
The Charity Commission is probing the West Londoners over the handover of control.
The trustees are still unclear whether they are legally allowed to take over running the club – and are seeking advice from lawyers on what to do next.
Chairman Bruce Buck, women’s manager Emma Hayes, John Devine, Sir Hugh Robertson, Paul Ramos and Piara Powar make up the group.
But reports claim at least TWO of the six ‘have raised concerns privately amid suggestions they will be compromised’ and could quit their roles.
