Chelsea for sale: Up to 10 parties interested with most of interest set to come from USA

Investment bankers working on the sale of the club expect most of the interest to come from the USA, with up to 10 parties considering making bids.

Russian, Chinese and Middle Eastern money has been behind the acquisition of many English clubs over the past two decades but everything has changed since the Chinese government cracked down on foreign investment.

The majority of potential buyers of the club are expected to be based in the US.

Roman Abramovich wants to make sure the club is sold to a group who will invest in the squad with a view to building a new stadium.

Since buying the club in a 140 million dollar deal in 2003 Abramovich has lent it 1.5 billion dollars. The latest accounts show a turnover of over 400 million and a loss of over 150 million after tax.

The National Crime Agency needs to prove a link to Putin before the government can take action.

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Who are the potential bidders?

Three years ago, Todd Boehly tried to buy a club in the English top flight, but the deal fell through. Wyss is a Swiss billionaire and the LA Dodgers part-owner. The asking price is unlikely to be paid by them.

Sky Sports News has been told that the Turkish businessman has submitted an offer for the English club but his claims are being treated with caution.

RedBird Capital Partners paid 533 million dollars for an 11 percent stake in the owners of the football team. They wouldn't be allowed to own another club under the rules of the premier league.

The chairman of the Chicago Cubs is looking for investment opportunities outside the US and was part of a group that tried to buy AC Milan.

Nick Candy is a property developer and a supporter of the club.

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On Friday, the MMA fighter claimed on social media that he was offering 1.5 billion dollars. Not thought to be the profile of the owner.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain's richest man, has looked at buying a club but he believes that they are overpriced. Nice and FC Lausanne were bought instead. His spokesman has distanced him from a move.

A spokesman for the Egyptian businessman says he is not pursuing a bid.

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The complicating factors

There are only a few billionaires who would be able to pay the asking price, but any potential sale is complicated by:

• Unease about doing business with Abramovich while he is facing the threat of being sanctioned by the UK Government.
• Russian banks being sanctioned means it could prove difficult for Abramovich to sell or set up a bank account for the charitable foundation he wants to establish to distribute net proceeds to victims of the war in Ukraine. Non-Russian banks and financial institutions may be unwilling or unable to get involved in any potential deal.
• Reluctance to do any deals involving Russians because of the invasion of Ukraine.
• Lack of confidence in global stock markets because of the invasion.
• In the past, there has been lots of interest in buying Premier League clubs from Russia, China and the Middle East. Unlikely to be the case this time.
• UK Government is preparing legislation which would let it seize the assets of sanctioned individuals without having to pay them compensation.

Tuchel: No problem staying in charge despite Abramovich exit

Despite the plan byAbramovich to sell up, Thomas Tuchel is still the head coach of the club.

Tuchel admits that the owner's decision to sell has created uncertainty, but he has no doubts about his own future.

The head coach said that he would not have a problem staying at the Bridge.

I have said many times that I love working in the premier league and feel the tradition and love for sports in England. It is an amazing place to be.

For me, it's the perfect fit, that's for sure. I love to be here, I love everything about the club and hopefully it continues.