Drawing from sources, it is said that fears about the future of Stamford Bridge are delaying Chelsea’s takeover.
Due to a potential necessity to refurbish the club’s home ground, bidders purchasing the club are straining to make the math work on bids of roughly £2.5 billion.
Another stage in the bidding process has also been added, with one of the three interested firms set to be removed this week. Originally, it was expected that one of the three surviving consortia would be picked as the preferred bidder.
‘The numbers don’t add up without moving the stadium,’ a source added. ‘They’re private equity investors who aim to generate a long-term profit.’ If the contract is for £2.5 billion, no matter how spectacular the trophies are, the numbers don’t add up without moving the stadium.’
Raine Group, the American bank in charge of the sale, needs bidders to make assurances about the stadium’s future. It’s been a long time since it’s been rebuilt. According to the source, requiring bidders to guarantee renovation in their final offers will reduce the value of their bids.
‘They’ll most likely reduce the price.’ Everyone is talking about it, but no one is talking about it in public,’ according to the insider.
According to sources close to the matter, Boston Celtics owner Steve Pagliuca’s bid is expected to be rejected this week because it does not provide anything fresh. The bids from Sir Martin Broughton and Todd Boehly, a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, are then expected to move forward.
Broughton’s company, which is backed by American bankers Josh Harris and David Blitzer, appears to be making the correct moves by enlisting the help of Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams.
However, questions have been raised about the Boehly deal, which includes British chancellor George Osborne, a known Chelsea supporter. Close observers believe Osborne’s inclusion is misguided, given that current chancellor Rishi Sunak is thought to be playing a crucial role in choosing the winning offer.
‘How would Rishi Sunak, the decision-maker, react to the ex-inclusion? chancellor’s ‘It doesn’t look good in comparison to the alternative, which is a diversified ownership group with the great and the good of Britain on board,’ a source added.
Even if one of the groups succeeds, Roman Abramovich may choose not to sell to a bidder from the United States or the United Kingdom.