Abramovich’s plan after Chelsea? To end Barca and Madrid dominance in Spain
FT Desk
- 11 Apr 2022 10:11 BST
- 6 min read
It now seems certain that Roman Abramovich will relinquish control of Chelsea before the end of the month.
Reports in England continue to suggest that a new owner for the Stamford Bridge club will be found among the numerous potential bidders and once the UK Government can green light such a deal, the Russian billionaire will no longer have any ties with the club he personally funded for no less than 19 years.
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However, while Abramovich’s time in English football may now be coming to a swift end, that doesn’t mean the Russian tycoon is finished with the sport entirely.
Reports in late March had suggested that the 55 year-old oligarch was interested in purchasing Super Lig club Goztepe, but it now seems as though Abramovich has his eyes on a club in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Is Abramovich (and his money) heading to Spain?
It now seems as though the Russian will turn his attention to Spanish football and one club in particular, according to the former vice-president of the club in question.
Indeed, according to a letter from Miguel Zorio which has been seen by Plaza Deportiva, Abramovich will use the sale of Chelsea to make a bid for La Liga giants Valencia in the coming weeks.
Reports in Spain have suggested that current owner, Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, has put the club up for sale and apparently the Russian billionaire is interested in making a move.
Roman Abramovich has made an offer to buy La Liga side Valencia.
[@plazadeportiva_ via @Sport_Witness]— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) April 10, 2022
Zorio, who has claimed that he will make a bid for the club too, reportedly stated in a letter:
“Peter Lim has tried to sell the club in London for €250million and has not succeeded. Lately, he has leaked to international media that he has two purchase offers, mine and that of the Russian oligarch of Chelsea. And from here, I tell him that either he puts €50m every year to compensate for the losses he generates or he sells to us. Whether he likes it or not.”
Whether the claims made by Zorio are true or not remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Barcelona and Real Madrid fans will be keeping an eye on the news intently until it comes to a conclusion.
While Abramovich’s money may no longer be welcome in England, it could easily go some way to transforming Valencia into serious contenders for the Spanish league title and upsetting the dominance of both Barca and Madrid in a short space of time.
