CHELSEA SUITORS’ ANXIOUS wait to discover the shortlist of preferred bidders for the Premier League club looked set to drag past Tuesday night.
New York merchant bank the Raine Group will continue compiling the bids to whittle down a shortlist as tight as three offers.
The interested parties bidding for the Blues had initially expected to receive word on their candidacy on either Monday or Tuesday.
But the complex nature of the bids and sheer volume of information left Raine opting to take more time putting together that shortlist, the PA news agency understands.
By close of business in the UK the various bidders for Chelsea had not received an update on the process.
And Raine could require several more days yet to finalise the list.
Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on 2 March, amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian-Israeli billionaire was understood to have already received several big offers for Chelsea within days of putting the Blues officially up for sale.
And that brisk interest has continued unabated, despite the 55-year-old being sanctioned by the UK Government on 10 March.
Downing Street claimed to have proven Abramovich’s direct links to Vladimir Putin, freezing all his UK assets barring Chelsea, with the Blues operating under strict Government licence.
Abramovich cannot profit from Chelsea’ sale, but had already pledged to write off the club’s £1.5billion debt.
American-backed bids from Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family are among the front-runners to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts spoke to Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands on Monday night, explaining long-held plans to meet Blues supporters groups in London.
The Ricketts family are understood to remain confident with the terms of their bid.
Sir Martin Broughton and Lord Sebastian Coe have another potent offering lodged, with strong financing secured and both front men proud of the submission.
British property tycoon Nick Candy has also pushed hard with his bid for the Blues, even increasing his offer “significantly” on Monday.
Saudi Media Group is another of the bids understood to carry clout, and Raine are moving quickly through the process given Chelsea’s need for a fast transfer of ownership.
London-based global investment firm Centricus confirmed their bid on Monday, with a consortium comprising four Blues supporters.
Centricus co-founder Nizar Al-Bassam and chief executive Garth Ritchie launched the bid, alongside Cheyne Capital hedge fund manager Jonathan Lourie and Talis Capital’s Bob Finch.
Raine will put their eventual shortlist to the UK Government for oversight, but Chelsea’s current board will have already had a hand in the process by that point.
Abramovich was clear from the start on seeking a successor capable of continuing the Blues’ sustained success.
The influence of Chelsea’s board, in conjunction with Raine, in the shortlisting process should go some way to allaying Blues fans’ understandable current fears.
Chelsea’s women’s team manager Emma Hayes meanwhile revealed her hopes the Government could find a way to amend the Blues’ licence to allow supporters to buy new tickets for future Chelsea matches.
“We need to let the board take the time to get it right,” said Hayes.
“That is right, that is the process and due diligence takes place and not rushing that decision so we get the right owner into the club.
“For me the priority is getting fans back into the stadium. For me I don’t know why this hasn’t happened yet.
“Surely we have to create a situation with a separate bank account so that the fans can come?
“I don’t think we should penalise those people, even within this situation.”
A new episode of The Front Row, in partnership with Guinness, is out now. After Ireland’s Triple Crown win, Murray Kinsella gives us the rundown on his team of the tournament. Ireland international Sene Naoupu also joins the panel to chat about her career and look ahead to the start of the Women’s Six Nations. Click here to subscribe or listen below:
The42 / SoundCloud
Absolutely terrible decision that has to be a red card , high speed neck high challenge to stop a goal scoring opportunity. Very generous refereeing for Galway in that first half
Coen was a lucky boy
Terrible decision!
That was one seriously dangerous challenge and he should have walked . The short conversation with linesman had me convinced he was gone.
Hurling > football
Lower viewing figures, less participating counties…..
Hoping for a Galway win, Kilkenny will shade it no doubt!!
So the location of the match is at Old Trafford?
When did Mick McCarthy lose his lovely quiff & when did he start managing Galway ?
Boring. Kilkenny too good again. Hurling becoming a joke.
Galway resorting to Dublin tactics and being facilitated by ref
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
You mean Kilkenny tactics?
Big time bottlers are Galway, not helped by some terrible refereeing
Galway can’t complain about refereeing, got 2 points from soft overcarrying decisions and should have had 14 men for the whole 2nd half
OMG Stick Wars !!
It was disgusting to see half of the Kilkenny crowd leave before the cup was presented, talk about arrogance.
Galway could have won it but the Cats ‘re the best for a reason, great second half display by them.
Maybe next year Galway…
Well done, Galway. A few stats! Galway all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs, and 2nd best Senior team in the country…and the Ladies to come yet…Not bad, I suggest…
Keep it going, Galway.
Great Kilkenny team, no argument. But they will be stopped sometime!!
How can the 42 not get the full time score correct?
Great Galway display, against an indisputable set of Kilkenny legends. No doubt about that. But just remember a little stat (to the knockers!). Galway= all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs and 2nd best Seniors in the country and all for 2015. And the Ladies Camogie has to come yet in the all Ireland… Not bad stats? So, Galway, well done, a credit to yourselves. And under great leadership.
Man of the stadium: Messi
Jonny Ryan a legend