British property developer Nick Candy has confirmed his intention to bid to buy Chelsea by the end of the week.
The 49-year-old billionaire and Chelsea fan is working with a number of United States-based investors to compose a consortium bid for the Stamford Bridge club.
Roman Abramovich decided to put Chelsea up for sale last week amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
It is believed that Candy’s readiness to commit to the redevelopment of their Stamford Bridge stadium could prove popular with Abramovich, who is determined to entrust the club’s future to owners with ambitions to match his own.
Candy, 49, believes his background as a property developer could give him an advantage with any plans to rebuild Stamford Bridge.
His spokesperson said in a statement: “Nick Candy is actively exploring a number of options for a potential bid for Chelsea.
“Any bid would be made in conjunction with another party, or consortium, and we have serious interest from several international partners.
“Mr Candy has a huge affinity with Chelsea. His father was asked to play for the club and he has been watching matches at Stamford Bridge since the age of four.”
Chelsea announced plans for a new 60,000-seater stadium on the Stamford Bridge site in 2015 but the project was put on hold indefinitely three years later.
“The club deserves a world-class stadium and infrastructure and Mr Candy’s unique expertise and background in real estate would be a hugely valuable asset to delivering this vision,” added the statement.
Abramovich initially said he intended to give “stewardship and care” of Chelsea to its foundation trustees, but then decided to sell the club completely with the threat of sanctions hanging over him following the invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich, who is in the process of selling his London home to avoid potentially having his assets frozen under UK sanctions, has denied having close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Comments (5)
Classless club Classless fans
Oh no he’s not. sanction impososed and assets frozen.
Big shoes to fill, when it comes to the success Abramovich has brought to Chelsea he has set the bar very high- something Kepa could have done with last weekend.
Should that not be ‘success bought for Chelsea?’
They will not be able to buy the league any longer
All clubs buy the league these days
Joke game