With Roman Abramovich‘s announcement of putting the club up for sale last week, a number of businessmen and companies from around the globe showed interest. Saudi Media were one of the companies that were keen to make a bid for the European champions.
Reports coming out of England earlier this week suggested that the Saudi Media had made a bid to Roman Abramovich to potentially take over at Chelsea. The bid was reported to be close to the £2.7billion mark. Mohamed Alkhereiji is reported to be the man behind the bid. Alkhereiji and his kids are believed to be massive fans of the European champions.
According to a report by Goal, the potential new owners have already set out future plans if their bid is accepted and the takeover is completed. Firstly, the potential new owners will prioritize new contracts for players who are out of contract in the summer. While investment into the youth system as well as the women’s team is also on the cards.
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Gary Neville’s comments on the Saudi Media’s Chelsea bid
Speaking during Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (via Football Daily) about the current Chelsea situation and the reported bid by the Saudi Media, Gary Neville said:
“There’s been a headline today about Saudi Media group’s reportedly making a £2.7bn offer,” “I’d be amazed. If the Saudi Media company is allowed to buy Chelsea football club off the back of what’s happened.
“I do think there is something absolutely coming on top very quickly when it comes to fit and proper persons’ test. “It’s not resilient, it’s not independent, it’s not transparent. We don’t know what criteria hurdle the Saudis will have to jump through to get into this country. “I was supportive of them coming in. Even though I would probably reassess that after what’s happened in the last 10 days.”
“Firsly, football’s got a big problem because I don’t think it’ll be accepted anymore”. “Secondly, I think there’ll be an independent regulator put into football. I think it was coming anyway. “But Super League, Saudi money, Russian money, Bury, Derby, lack of sustainability, lack of real-time financial monitoring, lack of fit and proper persons test. Most importantly, football is absolutely coming under huge scrutiny and it’s not just a football problem.”
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