Chelsea takeover: Big update today as buyout fee revealed - sources
Chelsea’s owners will likely need to pay between £2-3billion to buy each other out and take full control of the club, sources have told Football Insider.
A consortium led by Todd Boehly completed its £4.25billion takeover in May 2022, bringing to an end Roman Abramovich’s 19-year reign at Stamford Bridge.
But under the agreement, Clearlake Capital secured a 61.5-per-cent stake in the Premier League side, while Boehly and fellow billionaires Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss each hold 12.8-per-cent shareholdings.
Clearlake co-founder Behdad Eghbali is believed to be the most active and powerful figure at Chelsea despite Boehly being named chairman until 2027.
Bloomberg reported on 6 September Boehly now wants to buy out the US private equity firm after relations between the west London club’s owners have soured in recent months.
But Sky Sports reported on 10 September Clearlake has no intention of selling its shares, with the two parties in a stand-off over who will take Chelsea forward.
Sources have told Football Insider Clearlake is currently in the “driving seat” because of its majority stake and the number of seats it holds on the board.
But it’s not a foregone conclusion Eghbali and fellow co-founder Jose E Feliciano will be able to assume full control at Stamford Bridge, with Boehly potentially holding the option to bring allies Walter and Wyss on board with his takeover plans to strengthen his bid.
Chelsea losses could present issue in takeover battle
The breaking point between Chelsea chiefs is believed to have been the decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season.
After a strong end to the campaign resulted in a sixth-place finish, Boehly is claimed to have been against the Argentine leaving the club in May.
Following the appointment of Enzo Maresca as his successor, the London giants made a further 11 signings throughout the summer transfer window, taking their overall spending to more than £1billion since the takeover two years ago.
Sources have told Football Insider Chelsea are currently making a £200million loss per year at the operating level following their heavy spending.
That could make it difficult for any of the co-owners to raise the necessary capital for a full takeover if it’s going to cost between £2-3billion to buy each other out.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider it’s a “very messy” situation at Stamford Bridge, but Clearlake has the upper hand in the takeover battle.
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