Chelsea takeover receives green light from UK Government

The £4.25billion takeover of Chelsea by a consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly has been given the green light by the UK Government. 

Having purchased the club in 2003, Roman Abramovich put the Blues on the market in March before he was sanctioned due to links to Russian president Vladimir Putin. 

He will not benefit from the sale, which has also been approved by the Premier League. 

A Government statement said: "Late last night the UK Government reached a position where we could issue a licence that permits the sale of Chelsea. 

"Following the sanctioning of Roman Abramovich, the Government worked hard to ensure Chelsea have been able to continue to play football. 

"But we have always been clear that the long-term future of the club could only be secured under a new owner. 

"Following extensive work, we are now satisfied that the full proceeds of the sale will not benefit Roman Abramovich or any other sanctioned individual.

"We will now begin the process of ensuring the proceeds of the sale are used for humanitarian causes in Ukraine, supporting victims of the war.

"The steps today will secure the future of this important cultural asset and protect fans and the wider football community. 

"We have been in discussions with relevant international partners for necessary licences required and we thank them for all their co-operation."

Chelsea won multiple trophies during a glittering spell under Abramovich's ownership, including five Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.

But the club's future was thrown into doubt when his assets were frozen, leaving the Londoners operating under a restrictive special licence. 

As a result, contract renewals and transfer plans were put on hold and Thomas Tuchel's squad will be weakened this summer by the departure of Antonio Rudiger.

German international Rudiger, 29, is joining Real Madrid as a free agent and is expected to be followed out the door by Andreas Christensen, whose contract is also up. 

However, with the takeover edging ever closer, the Blues can now begin to focus on bringing in reinforcements after a season that saw them win the European Super Cup and Club World Cup. 

And Tuchel, 48, is keen to see the club move quickly in the transfer market to make up for lost time. 

He said: "I cannot go on holiday, it’s impossible. There are too many things to clarify and have an opinion on. 

"It’s not necessary to do everything in person but the first days I will be here anyway and around because my children are in school so the holidays will start with a bit of a delay.

"It’s also normal in a situation like ours that you stay in contact and you have the possibility with Zoom and FaceTime to have calls, share opinions and to move on forward, because we need to.

"The situation is not only for us as the ones responsible for the rebuild and for transfers, it’s also for the players a strange situation.

"Let’s see when we will finally have the chance to act and make up because the disadvantage in terms of timing for the rebuild is big and we have to be fast and smart."