£750M SWOOP FOR BLUES

[the wes 7,212]

Roman Abramovich's resolve to keep hold of Chelsea could be tested with an incredible £750m takeover bid.

A group of mainly German investors claim they are plotting to bid for Chelsea and make the Russian tycoon an offer he can't refuse.

At the start of the week, Abramovich made it very clear that he has no intention of selling Chelsea.

But that has not stopped a Swiss based company acting for the group – Falcon Equity – from trying to put together a proposal to tempt the Russian billionaire to sell the Premier league club.

The consortium are believed to be working together with the Arab tycoon who was behind the sensational Abu Dhabi takeover of Manchester City – Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim.

He is working directly with Falcon Equity, which has drawn together a wealthy five-strong group to consider an offer for Chelsea.

Fahim was part of the Abu Dhabi United Group which bought Manchester City in September, which highlights his experience in such deals.

And the City takeover proves that, despite the credit crunch, Premier League clubs are still desirable assets.

The news will rock Chelsea fans, and the club, who have made it clear they do not welcome the attention of any new investors.

But Abramovich's continued absence from Chelsea matches continues to fuel speculation about his long-term interest in the Blues.

Fahim is working with the head of Falcon Equity, Holger Heims, a respected financier who used to be a managing partner of the German company DVC Deutsche Venture Capital.

Heims said yesterday: "We have looked before at some European clubs to see if the numbers added up.

"And now we are doing the same with Chelsea, but I can't say any more at this stage. I don't believe anything is ever not for sale if you come up with the right price.

"It's not about buying a football team but about a business.

"You don't make money because 11 guys run around a pitch, you make money because of all the other commercial aspects that go with running a football club, particularly real estate and TV rights.''

Heims has been involved in a number of billion-dollar takeover deals in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia in the last 15 years.

Fahim confirmed the move and the identity of the take-over group on a Middle East business website, adding: "It is not totally clear whether Chelsea is for sale, but regardless of that we first have to see whether we are in a position to buy it.

"Given that Roman Abramovich has invested over £500m into the club, it would not be cheap, and with the current credit crunch, nobody wants to be over-exposed on one deal.

"But, through a number of investors, there is money available to put together a deal.''

Abramovich was angered at the weekend by reports that he would be interested in selling Chelsea.

He contacted Stamford Bridge directors and told them to issue a denial via a statement.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon said: "I can assure you on his behalf that this is totally unfounded and anything else you might read about this is rubbish. Chelsea is not for sale."

Abramovich originally bought the club for £80m in 2003 and wrote off a further £80m of debt.

He has since spent more than £375m on the club, bringing his investment to more than £500m.

take that Roman Abramovich is going to sue the Daily star too Edited January 23, 2009 by the wes

[the wes 7,212]

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/544492-man-...-Chelsea-fc-bid

[Badboy 1,526]

I would like roman too stay tbh he is the best thing thats happened too us since john terry !

[warnie_666 1,081]

This is all LOAD OF DONKEY CRAP

WHY THE FUCK IS MEDIA AFTER Chelsea AND ROMAN. IF ROMAN ISNT ATTENDING MATCHES THT MEANS HES LOST INTEREST IN Chelsea? WAT THE FUCK? HE HAS LIFE APART FROM Chelsea YOU NUTS!!!!

[chelseapaul 0]

We have to remember that the r*d tops journo's are mainly scouse and manc fucks, who will write any old drivel to destablise the club.

[warnie_666 1,081]

WTF..this news is on sky as well..

There has to be some truth in it cus no paper will publish nonsense after roman sued the newspaper last week. And I always knew that only the Arabs will afford us if roman is to sell the club.

Thats said..I hope Roman keeps faith. The financial results are out within a month and should please Roman.

[Elliott 7]

Its on BBC too.

But just cause a bid is going to be made doesn't mean its going to be accepted!

[Steve 10,227]

Im worried about this if roman get offered enough money i think he might take it. As much as i dont want to see him go because he has been there for us through thick and thin, there is the possibilty that he might just say yes if he is offered enough. Lets just say that we where to get new owners i do not want to turn out like man city and just start trying to buy the best players around with ridiculous amounts of money.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Lets just say that we where to get new owners i do not want to turn out like man city and just start trying to buy the best players around with ridiculous amounts of money.

Welcome to 5 years ago.

[Steve 10,227]

big difference in the money we where spending compared to them.

[Elliott 7]

Actually I don't think there's much difference. Sure, there would have been if they'd bought Kaká, but they haven't.

[Steve 10,227]

I suppose but it was still a ridiculous amount of money to offer.

[EskWeston 696]

A bit of a non-story really. So a bunch of Germans are interested in buying Chelsea? Doesn't mean anything, i am sure there are a lot of people who are interested.

It will be interesting to find out what Kenyon is talking about when our financial figures come out.

[Badboy 1,526]

I would not like roman to sell the club to a group of people either.

[TylerCFC 7]

A bit of a non-story really. So a bunch of Germans are interested in buying Chelsea? Doesn't mean anything, i am sure there are a lot of people who are interested.

It will be interesting to find out what Kenyon is talking about when our financial figures come out.

Anyone know when those will be released?

[EskWeston 696]

Anyone know when those will be released?

February aparently, not sure when in Feb though.

[Badboy 1,526]

We should not record as big a loss this time.

[misschief 24]

I can't believe the arrogance of these people, Abramovich made it clear Chelsea's not for sale so why can't they just fuck off? They couldn't give a shit about football, its all just business to them. I might have had my doubts about Abramovich but at least he genuinely loves the game itself. As far as I'm concerned, this sort of takeover is a step too far, it'd totally destroy the club I love.