Public lobbying to be chosen as the preferred bidder for Chelsea intensified as increased offers were considered by bankers charged with selling the English Premier League club to sanctioned owner Roman Abramovich. British property tycoon Nick Candy has revealed he has dramatically increased the amount offered, having already submitted an offer of more than 2 billion pounds ($2.6 billion) for the club to the new bank on Friday. -yorker Raine Group, overseeing the process.

Abramovich is being forced to sell the reigning world and European champions after being sanctioned in Britain and having his assets frozen as part of a crackdown on oligarchs following Ukraine’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia. The Russian was also disqualified to lead the West London club and be Premier League manager.

The UK government must approve a license for the takeover that does not allow Abramovich to receive the sale proceeds. Candy’s “The Blue Football Consortium” features proposed investments from South Korean companies including Hana Financial Group, C&P Sports Group and an undisclosed third entity. The unusual public battle to buy such an important team in world football is reflected in the public statements of bidders seeking to win over fans as well as decision-makers.

“This remains a unique opportunity to bring football back to the fans and put them at the heart of Chelsea Football Club‘s operations and strategy,” said Candy. A new bidder emerged on Monday from London-based global investment firm Centricus, which says it oversees $38 billion in assets.

Dropped £3bn just because of politics, purely out of love for Chelsea FC.

The greatest landlord of all time. Long live Roman Abramovich pic.twitter.com/nMWWOJRUdw

– Ra (@CFC_magic) March 11, 2022

Another consortium that has bid includes Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and Jonathan Goldstein, a London-based property investor and CEO of Cain International. They are said to have raised a bid to exceed 2.5 billion pounds ($3.3 billion). Michael Broughton, the former chairman of Liverpool and British Airways, is leading a consortium that includes top tracker Sebastian Coe, chairman of World Athletics, IOC member and Chelsea fan.

The Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs, have partnered with hedge fund manager Ken Griffin in a consortium. The family fortune was made by Joe Ricketts as chairman of electronic trading platform TD Ameritrade. His son, Tom Ricketts, is president of the Cubs.

Chelsea have won 21 trophies in Abramovich’s 19 years of ownership, building on his lavish investment to become one of Europe’s most successful clubs. Until a new owner arrives or the government eases restrictions, Chelsea’s ability to spend and generate revenue is limited by the terms of the license. This means not being able to sell tickets for matches, meaning only season ticket holders can travel to Stamford Bridge for Premier League matches.

The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid is set to be played in an empty stadium. But FA Cup organizers are trying to find a way to sell tickets for Chelsea’s semi-final against Crystal Palace next month at Wembley. The English Football Association said it was planning a sold-out national stadium. “We are working with the government on a method to achieve this while respecting the sanctions currently in place against Chelsea,” the FA said in a statement.