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The sale of Chelsea is ever closer to being ratified, according to the PA news agency.
Roman Abramovich now expects to have met the UK government’s requirements for the granting of a new sales license, it is understood.
Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich has been hoping for some time that he was able to meet the government’s expectations of how to handle his £1.5bn loan to Chelsea.
The 55-year-old is believed to be confident those demands have been met, which would finally clear the way for Downing Street to complete the sale.
Abramovich has reportedly confirmed to the government that his partner Demetris Ioannides has quit the trust that owns Camberley International, the company holding the £1.5billion debt he intends to write off.
UK government sanctions against Abramovich mean he must not benefit from the sale of Chelsea, with the debt to be frozen and then converted into equity.
Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly has already agreed to a £4.25billion purchase of the Blues, with Abramovich’s ownership tenure set to end after 19 years.
American tycoon Boehly will become the majority owner of Chelsea once the takeover is complete, although California-based investment firm Clearlake Capital will take the majority of shares.
Boehly’s consortium finalizing the takeover will end a 12-week saga that was sparked by Abramovich officially putting the Blues up for sale on March 2.
Chelsea players and staff have discovered the club has been sold at Kenilworth Road, amid final preparations for their FA Cup fifth round clash at Luton Town.
The Blues won 3-2 despite the obvious distractions as Abramovich issued a statement pledging to cancel the club’s debt and set up a foundation to help victims of war in Ukraine.
Abramovich was then sanctioned by the British government on March 10, with Downing Street claiming to have proven his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chelsea were placed under a strict government operating licence, with all of Abramovich’s other UK assets frozen.
Once the Boehly takeover is complete, the Blues will be able to return to business as usual – and there will be no time to waste reconfiguring the squad of players.
The sanctions meant that Chelsea could not carry out any transfer activity, either with existing players or external targets.
Antonio Rudiger is joining Real Madrid on a free transfer and Andreas Christensen is heading to Barcelona, so the Blues need two centre-backs to start their summer window business.
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is a long-term target and Chelsea are said to have the option of striking a quick deal to sign the French defender.
Manager Thomas Tuchel will also want to resolve the future of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, with the two Spain wingers also other targets for Barcelona.
