Roman Abramovich: Who has net worth to take over Chelsea? Hansjorg Wyss & Jim Ratcliffe details
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Roman Abramovich is reportedly ready to sell Chelsea after 19 glory years that have seen the club win the Premier League, Champions League and become champions of the world.
The billionaire is allegedly reluctant to sell the club, however pressure is growing after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Hide AdThe UK government is likely to introduce stricter sanctions on oligarchs with links to Putin, and Abramovich was part of the group of Russian businessmen which helped install him in power in 1999.
It is reported that Abramovich wants to sell Chelsea for a whopping £3billion, so only a few people - with a massive net worth - could afford to buy the Blues.
He bought Chelsea in 2003, and has completely transformed the club on and off the pitch.
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Hide AdThe Blues have won five league titles and the Champions League twice, including last season.
He has also massively grown the club’s fanbase globally, with the incredibly players he has been able to afford, which has made the south-west London team one of the most attractive football brands in the world.
However, this could all come crashing down with his association with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has caused his country to be completely isolated following his invasion of Ukraine.
It could be all change at Stamford Bridge, and here are some of the potential new owners and their net worth.
Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss
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Hide AdHansjorg Wyss is a name that has been linked with Chelsea since the talks started of Abramovich selling started, and he has not hidden his intentions to take over from the billionaire Russian.
The 86-year-old has a reported net worth of £4.3billion, which would be easily enough to take over the Blues.
He has admitted interest in purchasing the Stamford Bridge club from Roman Abramovich, but only in a consortium.
The bonus for Chelsea fans is that Wyss is definitely wealthy enough to take over the club, and keep the the Blues where they want to be from a financial point of view.
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Hide AdHowever in his 80s, the Swiss business mogul wouldn’t have the charisma and swagger Chelsea fans have become used to with Abramovich..
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe
The Monaco-based British billionaire has shown interest in Chelsea in the past, but reportedly got put off by the figures at the time.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who founded the chemicals business Ineos, has a net worth of £6.33billion, according to the Sunday Times rich list.
So he should have enough wealth to purchase Chelsea, even though his net worth has dropped from more than £20million in 2018.
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Hide AdHe has already dipped his toe in sport, sponsoring French football club Nice, the former Team Sky cycling team, and Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup bid.
And if Abramovich has to knock his asking price down, it is thought Sir Jim could be interested.
Being British will certainly be appealing to most fans, but he is cautious and will not be doing the gun-spraying purchases that most Chelsea fans have become accustomed to under Abramovich.
From a financial standpoint he is worth more than enough to keep the club sailing in the right direction, but most probably in a different style to the oligarch.
Abu Dhabi tycoon Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim
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Hide AdA few years ago Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim, who is the CEO of Abu Dhabi-based properties and also chairs Falcon Equity, was reported to be interested in putting in a bid to purchase Chelsea.
However it didn’t happen as Abramovich was not interested in selling at that time.
The latest news however could be interesting for Dr al-Fahim, who helped organise the purchase of Manchester City.
The Arab link would be the best possible takeover for Chelsea, as it would mean they continue the ambition and spending power of the oligarch.
That would be great for the fans, who are desperate to keep the club as one of the strongest brands on and off the pitch.