Abramovich sets deadline of FRIDAY for potential Chelsea buyers’ opening bids with £3bn valuation FOUR times the record

ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has set a deadline of FRIDAY for potential bids after announcing his decision to sell Chelsea.

And the Russian wants a world record £3billion for the club.

Billionaire Abramovich has bowed to the global backlash against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine and is seeking to dispose of the Blues and his other UK assets.

The threat of UK Government sanctions has brought a U-turn by the Blues owner, who has always previously refused to contemplate giving up his stake in the club he bought in 2003.

Abramovich has engaged financiers at US bank Raine Group - with offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and London - to try to broker a deal within DAYS.

One potential purchaser, Switzerland’s richest man Hansjorg Wyss claimed he has ALREADY been approached by Abramovich.

SunSport understands at least two other consortia are also pondering a bid, with speculation that Britain’s richest man and Chelsea fan Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos empire might be prepared to put in an offer.

Raine have asked for "indicative offers" to be in by Friday.

But Abramovich’s asking price of £3bn is almost FOUR times the previous biggest football takeover, the £790m spent by the Glazer family in acquiring Manchester United in 2005.

And Wyss suggested that he does not believe there is ANY chance of Abramovich has any chance of getting his dough back and he is effectively a distressed seller.

Labour MP Chris Bryant claimed in the Commons that Abramovich is also attempting to sell his London mansion for £152m, with suggestions he wants to liquidise all his UK assets ahead of any potential sanctions.

Abramovich has loaned Chelsea £1.5bn through holding company Fordstam, although he is not demanding repayment, while previous offers of up to £2.2bn have been rejected out of hand.

A statement made by Abramovich through Chelsea’s website read: "I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC.

"As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart.

"In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.

"The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club.

I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club

Roman Abramovich

"Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine.

"This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.

"Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club.

"I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person.

"It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements.

"Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart. Thank you, Roman."

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