The Russian mogul, Roman Abramovich is hoping to complete the sale of Chelsea as soon as possible and is thought to be in talks to purchase the struggling Spanish giants.
According to a rival bidder in the process, Roman Abramovich would attempt to purchase Valencia in Spain after the sale of Chelsea is finished.
Abramovich stated last month that he was selling Chelsea, but there is now speculation that he may return to football soon in the hopes of purchasing Valencia, a failing La Liga team, amid rumours that Singaporean tycoon Peter Lim has placed the club up for sale. According to Miguel Zorio, a competitor bidder for Los Che, this is the case.
Chelsea is keen to find a new owner in the midst of a fiscal crisis, with the British government dictating their finances in the aftermath of UK sanctions put on Abramovich for alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following those measures, the EU imposed its own, implying that any of his assets located in EU territory might be seized and frozen.
The West London club is keen to find new ownership as soon as possible, as the impact of the UK government’s penalties on Abramovich’s assets continues to be felt. The club’s bank account has also been suspended by Barclays, and the Blues could face financial ruin between now and the summer as a result of their fragile predicament.
Zorio has now stated that his bid to purchase shares in the Spanish club from Lim will be made public later this month. Valencia has gone from European regulars to a mid-table team in La Liga due to their absentee owner’s financial mismanagement, with many great players traded and not replaced in the last 18 months.
Zorio has now claimed that Lim tried to sell the club to Abramovich, accusing the current Valencia owner of leaking the information to the public. The Russian oligarch, according to Zorio, is the other significant contender for the club’s purchase.
According to Plaza Deportiva, a letter from Zorio states, “Peter Lim has attempted and failed to sell the club in London for €250 million.” He just revealed to foreign media that he had two purchase bids, one from me and the other from a Russian oligarch from Chelsea. And then I tell him that he has two options: either put €50 million in every year to compensate for the losses he makes, or sell to us. Regardless of whether he likes it or not.”
Valencia fans have repeatedly protested against the club’s ownership in recent seasons, accusing them of asset stripping in preparation for a future sale. The club’s budget has been cut in recent years, and there are even concerns about its long-term viability due to a lack of cash.