REVEALED: What Todd Boehly did after Chelsea win against Watford ahead of takeover
After Chelsea’s penultimate Premier League game on Sunday, potential new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was observed on the pitch talking to players. Chelsea won against Watford thanks to a late Ross Barkley goal, capping off a rollercoaster season for Thomas Tuchel’s team.
After the game, Boehly was seen speaking to Cesar Azpilicueta and a number of Chelsea players – which could suggest the takeover could be completed soon. The group led by Boehly and Clearlake Capital could be confirmed as new Chelsea owners as early as next week ahead of a £4billion takeover of the Blues.
According to Sky News, talks are underway over stipulations that would prevent the incoming owners of Chelsea from profiting from dividends or management fees for a decade.
After the game, Boehly was spotted talking to Thomas Tuchel about his first win at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s advisers are understood to be hoping for provisions that would restrict any share sales until 2032, as well as constraints on the amount of debt that may be taken on, as part of the negotiations. All potential bidders were required to invest a least of £1 billion in the stadium, academy, and women’s team.
Chelsea are optimistic of finalizing the Clearlake-Boehly acquisition by the middle of next week, according to CBS correspondent Ben Jacobs.
Jacobs said: “Fans hoping for an announcement to coincide with the end of the season will probably have to wait a little longer. Despite naturally wanting the sale done as soon as possible, no formal deadline before May 31 has been established and I am told (again) things remains on track.
“Fans hoping for an announcement to coincide with the end of the season will probably have to wait a little longer. Despite naturally wanting the sale done as soon as possible, no formal deadline before May 31 has been established and I am told (again) things remains on track.
“PR plans for the announcement have been discussed by all parties. Trivago’s “scheduling mistake” perhaps shows Chelsea originally hoped to confirm the sale last week, although sources officially deny this with one telling me “late May was always our realistic plan.
“Important to note, even if everything went smoothly, to get from purchase agreement to formal sale (inc. transfer of funds) in a matter of weeks is very quick. Chelsea sale may be seen as chaotic (it’s certainly been dramatic). But to get it done before May 31 is pretty incredible.”