Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich rejects bid to buy the club by mystery Middle East consortium
CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly resisted an opportunity to sell the club and insists the club is not for sale.
A mega-rich Middle East consortium proposed a potential takeover offer but it was shrugged off by the Russian,
There have been rumours that the billionaire businessman was looking to sell since the UK tightened its regulations on visas for wealthy foreign nationals.
He has since barely been seen at Chelsea matches, sparking speculation that he is losing his interest in the club he purchased in 2003.
Abramovich also put plans to develop Stamford Bridge on hold amid spiralling costs of £1billion.
But it appears he has no plans to leave his 16-year project any time soon.
It is claimed that Abramovich has been approached by a number of potential buyers including Sir Jim Ratcliffe - once Britain's richest man.
Ratcliffe already owns Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport but sources close to Abramovich insist it is "not for sale."
But the report also claims that the Russian would consider entertaining offers if he receives a bid in the region of £3bn.
SPUR OF THE MOMENT
Abramovich purchased Chelsea outright for £140m but history could have been so different had he decided to buy rivals Tottenham.
Recalling the tale, Eriksson told : “We met at Les Ambassadeurs [a casino and club in London].
"There were three men standing there. One is properly dressed, the other is so-so and the third, I thought he was the driver. Of course that was Roman.
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“He wanted to buy a club in Moscow so we went to Moscow for three days. We saw all the clubs and I said buy Dinamo. They had the best facilities.
“I went on holiday and his right-hand man phoned. Roman changed his mind. He wants to buy a club in London.
"Tottenham or Chelsea? I said, ‘What does he want to do?’ He said he wants to win.
"I said, ‘So buy Chelsea. You have to change half the team. Tottenham you have to change the whole team.’"
