With Chelsea Football Club confirming that its Russian owner Roman Abramovich is looking to sell the club, the race is on to buy the five-time English Premier League champions.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine put the spotlight on Abramovich for his alleged close ties with president Vladimir Putin as MPs in the British Parliament called for his assets to be frozen, including his hold over London side Chelsea.
The Russian oligarch has now announced his intention to sell the club so as to not let the Ukraine crisis affect the running of the club and his finances.
Among those who have expressed interest in buying a stake in the club are Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss—who said he was offered to join a consortium of buyers—and Pakistan businessman Javed Afridi.
Afridi is the owner of Pakistan Super League cricket team Peshawar Zalmi, CEO of Haier Pakistan and the founder of MG Motors Pakistan.
According to Khaleej Times, the businessman's team has already held a meeting with a sports and legal agency in the UK.
Although it is unlikely that Afridi will buy the club entirely—Abramovich is said to have placed a price of £3 billion on the club—he could be part of a consortium of buyers, as in the recent case of the Newcastle United takeover.
Chelsea have been extremely successful under Roman Abramovich and are currently the holders of the UEFA Champions League. It is a testing time for the club, its fans and its players as it waits for the announcement of a new owner.
