JAKARTA - The heated conflict between Russia and Ukraine has forced Roman Abramovich as the owner of English Premier League club Chelsea to sell one of his great assets.
Abramovich's decision to sell Chelsea was well received, as seen from the number of potential buyers who began to look more seriously. Sources familiar with the situation describe at least 10 potential buyers so far, with many others expressing interest as well.
Reporting from Goal.com, Tuesday, one of the strong candidates who are starting to seriously approach is a private Saudi Arabian consortium led by Saudi Media.
The same source also said potential buyers had yesterday expressed their interest in buying Chelsea from Roman Abramovich through the Raine Group, a New York trading bank that had been hired to find a buyer.
As for who is behind Saudi Media, so far it has not been specifically detailed. However, it is known that they are financiers who are heavily involved in funding media, advertising and sports brands around the world.
Saudi Media's main reach is also more concentrated on the Middle East market. The company also has offices in Dubai, UAE and Saudi Arabia itself.
Despite revealing his interest in buying Chelsea, Saudi Media could not immediately get the Blues. Because, one of the obstacles to their plans to acquire Chelsea may be caution in accepting any offer from a 'politically sensitive' party.
Apart from that, Abramovich's own party has put a deadline until March 15 as the last day to receive an offer. But the Russian tycoon also did not rule out extending the bidding period.
Proceeds from the sale of the club, as previously noted, will be donated to victims of the ongoing war in Ukraine. This was stated in a careful sentence in Abramovich's statement, Wednesday, March 2 last.
The statement also revealed that Abramovich would later forgive Chelsea's debt of 1.5 billion euros, or around IDR 28 trillion, with the funds in the form of a loan through his parent company Fordstam Ltd.
In addition to the Saudi Arabian consortium, Chelsea is also being eyed by Todd Boehly and the US-Swiss consortium owned by Hansjorg Wyss and the Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak. This then gave hope for Abramovich to sell the Blues according to his request at 3 billion euros or around Rp. 57 trillion.
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