Nike ‘considering walking away’ from mega 15-year Chelsea kit manufacturing deal which could cost Blues £540MILLION

NIKE are considering walking away from their 15-year kit deal with Chelsea in a split that could cost the Blues £540MILLION, according to reports.

The Blues have been plunged into crisis after owner Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen by the UK Government amid links with Vladimir Putin.

Chelsea have already seen shirt sponsors Three suspend their £120million partnership.

And according to the , kit manufacturers Nike could follow suit.

The two parties agreed a 15-year, £900m deal back in 2016 - but after recent events Nike are claimed to be 'considering walking away'.

This would cost the Blues a staggering £540m.

Chelsea are already unable to receive Premier League or Champions League prize money amid Abramovich's sanctions.

And they can't even sell tickets to their remaining home games.

The Blues' megastore is currently closed for business as they are banned from flogging merchandise.

Pat Nevin, who has a column in Chelsea's matchday programme, revealed on BBC 5Live earlier on Thursday that the Blues have already 'partially laid off' members of staff.

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Thomas Tuchel's side have already sold out their next two home games against Newcastle and Brentford - but could lose up to £600k per game in potential earnings from lost revenue for their remaining matches at Stamford Bridge this season.

Chelsea could even be deducted nine points if they go into administration before the end of the season.

Abramovich - who has been deemed to have been a Kremlin crony of Putin's - has been banned from selling the club and from injecting more money into the SW6 side.

But the Government will consider an application for a licence to sell the club - although Abramovich won't pocket a penny for it.

American billionaire Todd Boehly is eager to snap up the club and is waiting to hear back on an offer he and Swiss business partner Hansjorg Wyss have made.

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