BRITISH billionaire Nick Candy is still keen on buying Chelsea from Roman Abramovich despite the Russian being hit by sanctions.
Candy, 47, is one of several interested parties that has expressed a desire to purchase the Blues after Abramovich announced he was selling the club for £3billion.
It was reported that the avid Blues fan and property developer is talking to a number of American investors about forming a consortium to buy the West London outfit.
His £2.5bn proposal is said to include a £1.5bn plan for a rebuild of Stamford Bridge.
However, any potential sale has been plunged into chaos after the British government hit Abramovich with a fusillade of sanctions – one being that he can’t sell the Blues for any profit.
But Candy, who is married to Australian actress Holly Valance, is undeterred by Abramovich and Chelsea’s woes – and plans to push full steam ahead with his vision of acquiring the Blues.
While speaking to the Daily Mail, Candy defiantly declared: “We are examining the details of the announcement and we are still interested in making a bid.
“Clearly this is a time of great uncertainty for all Chelsea fans. In our view no one is the owner of a football club – you are the custodian of it for the fans and the community.”
The Blues will be praying that Candy’s zealousness pays off as the club are on the verge of going bust if Abramovich doesn’t sell up.
The tough sanctions mean Chelsea are banned from selling match tickets, barred from buying or selling and players, and stripped of money made from shirt sales or other merchandise.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
The club is also stopped from spending broadcast cash or prize money and will be limited to a £500,000 per game spend on security, stewarding and catering.
Experts said the curbs could plunge the Premier League giants into administration.
Those at the club fear they have just 17 DAYS before they run out of cash.
It remains to be seen if Abramovich’s love for the Blues will outweigh his desire for cash and lead him to walk away with nothing – which is now his only option.