Chelsea face apprehension from rival clubs to deal with them this summer

Chelsea are facing apprehension from rival clubs about dealing with them in the summer transfer window. 

Sportsmail understands prospective signings are uneasy about joining Chelsea, given Abramovich’s connections with Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime. 

Abramovich has confirmed that he has put Chelsea up for sale and revealed that he is writing off the £1.5billion debt that he is owed by the club.

However, it could now prove to be more problematic for Chelsea to secure some of their transfer targets.

Abramovich stated that all net proceeds from the sale of the club will be donated to a charitable foundation for the victims of the war in Ukraine.

Chelsea have been linked with a host of high-profile players ahead of the summer transfer window, including Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and Sevilla defender Jules Kounde. None of these players have expressed any concerns about potentially joining the club. 

Chelsea are facing apprehension from clubs to deal with them in the summer transfer window

Prospective signings are now uneasy about joining Chelsea given Roman Abramovich’s connections with Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime

Abramovich announced on Wednesday night that he is putting Chelsea up for sale

A statement from Abramovich read: ‘I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. 

‘As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.

‘The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid.

‘This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club. Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. 

Chelsea’s summer transfer targets include Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland

The Blues are looking to bring in West Ham’s Declan Rice, who was at Chelsea as a youngster

‘The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.

‘Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club.

‘I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.’

Abramovich is looking to recoup at least £3billion from the sale of Chelsea. 

Swiss medical magnate Hansjorg Wyss says he has been given the opportunity to buy Chelsea as part of a consortium of ‘six or seven investors’.

The 86-year-old is worth a reported £4.3billion.  

Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde is another player that Chelsea are considering signing

Chelsea have frequently spent heavily under Abramovich, and last summer paid £97.5million to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge. In the summer of 2020 they brought in Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy.  

Now, though, there is uncertainty regarding whether Chelsea would be able to make a significant amount of signings.