A consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss have made an offer to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
Boehly, who is a part owner of MLB side the Los Angeles Dodgers, attempted to purchase the Blues in a £2.2billion deal in 2019 and has now launched a second attempt with Wyss.
Harris owns a minority stake in Crystal Palace and also has investments in a range of other sports teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA and the New Jersey Red Devils of the NHL.
Fellow US businessman Woody Johnson is not commenting on reports that he is considering making a bid. The billionaire is a philanthropist and heir of the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company.
Johnson was appointed US ambassador to the UK by Donald Trump in June 2017 but is best known in the US as the owner of the New York Jets.
He bought the NFL franchise in 2000 but they have not reached the playoffs since 2010, and have recorded just one winning season in that time.
Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak said on Tuesday that he has made a bid below the asking price for Chelsea but people close to the process say those claims should be treated with caution.
Chelsea were put up for sale earlier this month by Abramovich, who has owned the west London side since 2003 and helped them win 19 major trophies, saying the decision was “in the best interest of the club.”
The Russian’s announcement came amid his homeland’s invasion of Ukraine, and the consequent threat of sanctions being placed upon Russian business people by the UK government.
Abramovich said he would donate all net profits from the sale to a charitable foundation that would benefit the “victims of the war in Ukraine.”
A number of other parties are also reported to be interested in bidding for Chelsea, including RedBird Capital Partners, the US private equity firm that last April paid £533m for an 11 per cent stake in Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group.
However, Premier League rules would prevent the firm from owning another club. – Sky Sports
