Exclusive: Chelsea owners fear takeover blow after new twist
Chelsea’s valuation could have dropped over the past couple of years due to their lack of progress on the pitch and failure to land lucrative sponsorship deals, 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 wants to buy out the US private equity firm after relations between the west London club’s owners have soured.
But Clearlake is understood to have no interest in selling its shares, leaving the two parties in a stand-off over who will take Chelsea forward.
Sources have told Football Insider a takeover deal would likely now be worth less than the £4.25billion the ownership group paid to buy the club two years ago.
That could present potential issues in the pursuit of clarity over the future ownership, with neither party likely wanting to lose money on their investment.
Chelsea owners still trying to find resolution to takeover stand-off
Chelsea's valuation is likely to have been affected by their lack of Champions League football over the past two campaigns.
The West Londoners are currently competing in the Conference League following their sixth-place finish under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
But after an improved start to this season, Enzo Maresca’s side are currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table, putting them in contention for a return to the Champions League.
Despite the boardroom tensions at Stamford Bridge, Boehly and Eghbali have been pictured together at recent Chelsea games.
But finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider he still believes both parties will be trying to find a resolution to their ownership issues.
Sources have told Football Insider another issue impacting Chelsea’s current valuation is their failure to agree a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal for this season.
It is believed to be a “terrible” sign to not have a primary shirt sponsor in place, with last season’s agreement with Infinite Athlete worth £40million.
Football Insider revealed on 18 October a deal could now only be worth around £15million for this season after more than two months of the campaign have already been played.
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