Chelsea’s sale on track; to be finalized by May 31

Chelsea sale could be finalized before the end of the season, according to an international news agency.

Chelsea must complete the sale by May 31, when their interim Government license expires, but Todd Boehly’s consortium is expected to conclude the £4.25 billion deal ahead of schedule.

Chelsea’s Premier League season will end on May 22 when they visit Watford, and there is now a potential that US tycoon Boehly will be confirmed as the club’s new owner in time for the final match of the season.

Boehly, a potential new Chelsea owner, was present at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as the Blues drew 2-2 with Wolves in the Premier League.

With further points dropped after surrendering a winning position, Thomas Tuchel was frustrated, while Boehly was shown with his head in his hands at full-time.

Despite Conor Coady’s late equalizer, the feeling of relief surrounding Chelsea’s imminent sale remained, with Boehly poised to take the club off Roman Abramovich’s hands.

Following Chelsea’s announcement confirming the Eldridge Industries chief executive’s purchase agreement to buy the club, the Premier League will conduct owners’ and directors’ tests on Boehly’s group.

Chelsea finalized the purchase agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner early Saturday morning, and all that lies between Boehly and ownership of the west Londoners is Premier League and Government clearance.

Premier League executives are said to have conducted some broad background research on Chelsea’s final three bidders in order to speed up the owners’ and directors’ tests.

The confirmation that the Boehly consortium has reached an agreement allows the English top flight chiefs to complete the inspections in their entirety.

Chelsea has until May 31 to complete the most lucrative sports club sale in history, following UK Government charges against current owner Roman Abramovich.

Blues have been obliged to operate under the severe conditions of a temporary Downing Street license, which runs out at the end of the month.

Boehly is leading a partnership in which Clearlake Capital will have a controlling stake, with his Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss also participating.

The government sanctioned Abramovich on March 10, claiming to have established his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Chelsea was placed up for sale by the Russian-Israeli billionaire on March 2, but sanctions necessitated a quick sale, with a deal of this size and scope being completed in record time.

Chelsea’s new owners will aim to meet with Tuchel and Hayes, the men’s and women’s team managers, given that the sale has progressed significantly.

Chelsea remains under sanctions until the transaction is completed, forcing Tuchel to tell his players to disregard the bigger picture as they try to finish third in the Premier League.

Chelsea has gone three games without a win and will play Leeds at Elland Road on Wednesday looking to get back on track.

“I don’t believe ownership is a factor in a lack of focus,” Tuchel stated.

“We demonstrated that we can remain focused when the situation arose. This is not a benefit for Leeds because the sanctions are not lifted, thus it makes no difference to us.”

“We have our own problems to solve and improve.”

Chelsea led 2-0 midway during the second half thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s first Premier League goals of 2022, only for Wolves to steal a point thanks to a late lapse.

Captain Coady buried an added-time header to stun the hosts after Francisco Trincao blasted in a superb shot from 18 yards.

Manager Bruno Lage, who was unable to travel due to coronavirus, spoke to his Wolves players through Zoom before and after the game, with Coach Tony Roberts praising the Molineux side’s comeback.

“Bruno was watching from the training ground and made the decisions,” Roberts explained.

“We had a Zoom meeting this morning to go through the game plan, and then he just picked out a few things at halftime.”

“And we got the outcome.”