Izuchukwu Okosi
Following the ongoing tension in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s invasion of the country and pressure for his close relationship with Vladimir Putin, Roman Abramovich has reportedly put his English Premier League club Chelsea up for sale.
According to various reports in the English press on Wednesday, the Russian is looking for a quick sale of the club he bought in 2003.
Abramovich has had a torrid time in his relationship with the English. He was previously denied citizenship despite having his homes, family and investments for close to a decade in South West London.
Chelsea believe a sale to a US tycoon is their best option according to the media reports monitored, while Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has claimed he’s been offered the chance to buy the club.
According to the Telegraph, he wants around £4 billion for the club albeit reports from other sources say the club could be sold for £3 billion.
“Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly,” Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick.
“I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich. I have to wait four to five days now.
“Abramovich is currently asking far too much. You know, Chelsea owe him £2 billion. But Chelsea has no money. As of today, we don’t know the exact selling price.”
The Russian multi-billionaire released a statement over the weekend attempting to hand the ‘stewardship and care’ of Chelsea to the club’s charitable foundation trustees.
The statement read: “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities. I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values.
“That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.
“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans.”
Chelsea have declined to comment on the reports. Abramovich bought the club in 2003 at £140m.
English clubs and national teams have been barred from participation in FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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