Chelsea deals to be investigated as ‘completely ludicrous’ situation emerges
Chelsea’s deals with Strasbourg will be assessed for fair market value after a “completely ludicrous” situation has emerged.
Chelsea and Strasbourg are both owned by BlueCo – the consortium spearheaded by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Ben Chilwell joined Strasbourg permanently on deadline day (1 September), becoming the sixth player to make the move from Stamford Bridge to the Ligue 1 club in the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, Ishe Samuels-Smith made the permanent switch to Strasbourg in July before returning to Chelsea just 33 days later.
Chelsea could face Uefa issue after done deals
Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider any profits on sales between Chelsea and Strasbourg will be disregarded by Uefa.
Chelsea were fined £26.7million by Uefa in July after breaching its financial rules, while the club could be hit with a further £51.2million penalty if they don’t comply in the next four years.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “They are well governed, so any deal with Strasbourg has to be fair market value, and that’s tested by the Premier League.
“There’s a whole set of rules as to how that’s tested because they’re a related party and part of the multi-club.
“For Uefa, any profits are basically disregarded, so you can’t meet financial fair play Uefa-style using deals within the group.
“It’s not a case of that they’re doing it knowingly, but Strasbourg will fail the Uefa squad cost control and also football earnings inevitably because their wage bill now is just completely ludicrous compared to that revenue.
“But they’re not bothered. I guess this is a project.”
Axel Disasi could quit Chelsea within days
In terms of a potential exit, recruitment expert Mick Brown told Football Insider Axel Disasi could complete a move away from Chelsea in the next few days.
A proposed move to Bournemouth fell through towards the end of the transfer window, while the 27-year-old is believed to have snubbed West Ham, Crystal Palace and Wolves.
However, Disasi could still join clubs in Saudi Arabia, Turkey or Mexico as those windows remain open.
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