British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe to become new Chelsea owner? as he gives his take on buying Chelsea
Recent reports in UK reveals that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is interested in buying Chelsea Football Club from Roman Abramovich after the Russian confirmed Chelsea is up for sale.
However, a spokesperson for INEOS has confirmed Ratcliffe isn’t interested in buying Chelsea from Abramovich despite having an interest in buying the club in the past.
British media reports had said that Ratcliffe – the wealthiest man in the UK – was considering a bid for Chelsea but the spokesman told Reuters: “There is no substance to the stories.”
Ratcliffe, chairman of chemical company INEOS, currently owns French club OGC Nice and the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, has been linked with Chelsea in the past.
The spokesperson said: Right now his focus is on OGC Nice which made it to the final of the French Cup to be played in Paris at the beginning of May.”
Abramovich bought Chelsea from Ken Bates for £140m in 2003 and is hoping to sell the club for £3billion.
While Ratcliffe isn’t interested in buying Chelsea, Swiss business tycoon Hansjoerg Wyss said he was one of three people who had been approached by Abramovich to buy the club.
He said: “Abramovich is currently trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly now.
“I, along with three other people, received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.”