‘Chelsea’s miraculous £20m deal could be too good to be true’
Chelsea landed themselves in hot water with rival fans last year for selling their women’s side to a sister company to avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
It was widely reported that the Blues raised around £200million through that deal – with club hotels also sold in a similar way to raise all-important money.
The Premier League are yet to approve the sale of the women’s side, which Chelsea insist was for their benefit only, for fair market value.
In a new twist, Reddit co-founder – and husband of Serena Williams – Alexis Ohanian has now purchased a 10% stake in Sonia Bompastor’s side for £20million.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the new investment could be aimed at getting the wider sale through the Premier League’s rules.
Chelsea make new move to pass Premier League scrutiny, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed the deal is “miraculous” and “almost too good to be true”.
Chelsea reported a pre-tax profit of £128.4million last month to sail through the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Chelsea | 22 | 60 | 43 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 22 | 48 | 36 |
| 3 | Man United | 22 | 44 | 25 |
| 4 | Man City | 22 | 43 | 21 |
| 5 | Brighton | 22 | 28 | -6 |
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The cynic in me is looking at this deal.
“This, to me, seems like someone doing Clearlake a favour. I could be completely wrong, it’s just a point of view.
“They obviously wanted to prove to the Premier League that their valuation of £200million was accurate.
“What better way to do that than have someone buy 10% for £20million?
“How miraculous is that?
“It’s almost too good to be true – and when things are too good to be true, they often are. That’s just my view.
“It’s compelling because Ohanian does have previous in women’s football, investing in the NWSL.
“His wife, Serena, is obviously a big advocate for women’s sport. That makes it credible, but it does seem a bit too convenient.”
Chelsea’s Marc Guehi move still on
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (20 May) that Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win will not make a massive difference to the future of Marc Guehi.
Football Insider revealed in March that Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea will race Liverpool to land Guehi this summer – while Arsenal have also been linked.
The Palace captain has just over one year to run on his contract at Selhurst Park and has so far not advanced in negotiations over a renewal.
For more Chelsea and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.