The fan-led group co-founded by the former Chelsea captain John Terry that wants to buy a 10% stake in the Premier League club is in “positive” talks with two of the shortlisted bidders, according to the banker advising it.
Sky News understands that the True Blues Consortium has approached three of the four consortia vying to end Roman Abramovich’s near-two decade tenure as owner of the Stamford Bridge club.
Sandford Loudon, a partner at Oakvale Capital and True Blues Consortium representative, said on Wednesday that he anticipated sufficient demand to acquire a 10% shareholding in Chelsea if it was sold at a £2.5bn valuation.
“Thousands of supporters and dedicated fans have contributed over £100m to True Blues,” Mr Loudon said.
“We’re having positive discussions with the two leading bidders and the bank in charge of the transaction, and our primary goal is to ensure that Chelsea fans have a voice during these unprecedented times.
“We are defending our valuable club’s history and principles and hope that by allowing fans to own a piece of Chelsea FC, this ground-breaking new model will change how football teams are run.”
People close to the bidders believe the price could go beyond £2.5bn as the quartet of contenders prepare to lodge their final offers on 11 April.
Sky News revealed at the weekend that Raine Group, the adviser handling the sale, is aiming to present a preferred bid to the government the following week, paving the way for a sale to take place before the end of next month.
News of the fan-led consortium’s talks emerged on the same day that an unnamed adviser to one of the bidders was reported to have complained that the Chicago Cubs’ owners were being afforded preferential treatment by Raine…
Source : skynews
