ROMAN ABRAMOVICH is conducting an auction for the sale of Chelsea after announcing he is parting company with the club.And Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak says he is in talks to buy the club, adding: “The Turkish flag will fly over London!”
But more surprisingly, UFC star Conor McGregor is said to be exploring a potential takeover of Chelsea by forming a consortium with other investors.
And Abramovich is said to have rejected a £2.5bn offer for the West Londoners.
And there are concerns that Wyss has little interest in football, only wants to buy the club to spite Abramovich and will not splash out on transfers the way the Russian has.
Follow ALL of the latest updates and transfer gossip from Stamford Bridge right here…
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Prem’s pledge to Ukrainian kids
Prem clubs will allow Ukrainian kids to train with their academies amid Russia’s invasion of their country, claims Andriy Shevchenko.
He told TV channel 1+1: “In the UK, all football clubs have responded to the situation in Ukraine.
“They are ready to accept Ukrainian children to train in the academies of Premier League clubs.
“Now a series of negotiations will be held to formalise the documents. We need to get permission.
“We’ll try to get this done very quickly. I’m in touch with the football federation. Sports camps will open.
“Everything must be done so that children who leave the cities of Ukraine can train either on the territory of Western Ukraine, or it will already be on the territory of other countries.”
Reporter questions Bayrak’s validity
Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak’s credibility over his claims that he plans to buy Chelsea has come under scrutiny.
It’s been claimed no one in the Turkish FA or in the country’s footballing circles are even aware of Bayrak’s existence, according to a New York Times journalist.
Tariq Panja, a New York Times reporter told Sky Sports: “We saw that in the last few days, a Turkish businessman that none of us had heard of [made the headlines].
“I’ve contacted people in Turkey, in the football world there and people at Turkish FA, and they had not heard of this person.
“I’ve seen he has announced his intention of planting the Turkish flag in London on his own Instagram page.
“I don’t think serious people behave like that. But again, we live in a strange and interesting time.”
Shelvey’s apology to Toon fans
Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has bizarrely apologised for his performance in their 2-1 victory over Brighton.
But speaking on social media, he said: “We weren’t at our best yesterday but sometimes you have to grind out results – credit to Brighton.
“I apologise for my own performance: I’ve actually watched the game back twice but I dug deep and am proud of my team for doing the same.
“I honestly thought the fans were absolutely fantastic and it excites me what this place is going to be like in three or four years time and to keep seeing the results you’ve had in the past eight games but on a bigger scale.
“The sky’s the limit.”
Ronaldo’s centre-forward view
Cristiano Ronaldo finds playing as a centre-forward ‘absurd’, according to his former Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri.
The Manchester United superstar is one of the greatest goalscorers in history – netting more than 800 times for club and country.
Sarri, who coached the Portuguese star for the 2019/20 campaign, insists Ronaldo was not on board with becoming a central forward player.
Speaking to Sky Italia, the former Chelsea head coach said: “Ronaldo scored 35-40 goals per season by starting from that wider position, so for him it was an almost absurd request.
“That is understandable for the way he plays.”
Two potential Chelsea buyers
Two more candidates have reportedly emerged as potential buyers of Chelsea.
Property billionaire Nick Candy and Thomas Ricketts, owner of Major League Baseball team Chicago Cubs, are both reportedly exploring the option of tabling a bid.
And one of the two latest figures to emerge as a credible buyer is property businessman Candy, according to Sky.
Another expression of interest has come from across the pond in the form of Chicago Cubs owner Ricketts.
Raab slams Chelsea fans
Deputy PM Dominic Raab has slammed Chelsea fans for drowning out support for Ukraine by praising Roman Abramovich in their game against Burnley.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel also expressed his disappointment over the club’s fans’ actions.
When asked about the incident, Raab told BBC’s Sunday Morning: “I’m a Chelsea fan and I think it’s totally wrong.
“It would be a minority of fans doing it, and I thought Thomas Tuchel, the manager, was quite right to come out and be clear about his disagreement with that.”
Next United manager’s war chest
The next Manchester United manager will be handed just £50million to spend if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League.
This is because, according to The Telegraph, the summer transfer kitty will be reduced from £80m to £50m if they fail to secure entry to Europe’s premier competition.
United spent £120m ahead of the 2021/22 season as they brought in Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
Yet despite that investment, qualification for next season’s Champions League remains up in the air.
Silva names dog after Stones
Bernardo Silva has named his dog ‘John’ in honour of Manchester City teammate John Stones.
Silva bought the dog with his partner, model Ines Degener Tomaz.
In an instagram video, the 27-year-old said: “This is John. We really wanted to have a dog.
“He was named after my good friend John Stones because we’re very close and I’ve always said to him if I ever get a dog I would call him John.
“It’s actually a great name, we love it.
“It suits him, he is a beautiful boy and very intelligent.”
Rangnick on Erik Ten Hag
Ralf Rangnick has dismissed claims that Man United have decided to make Erik Ten Hag their new boss.
Rangnick told Sky Sports when asked about the Ajax manager’s links to United: “I don’t know him, to start with, as a person.
“Obviously, I see the development at Ajax since he’s been there, I know a little bit about his work when he was with Bayern Munich and that he is one of the top coaches in Europe that’s obvious.
“But there are a few other top coaches.”
Aubameyang takes swipe at Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took a swipe at former club Arsenal by revealing that he feels at home with Barcelona.
Aubameyang told Bein Sports France: “Things are going very well with Xavi.
“He is a legend and will contribute many things to the club.
“Barca deserves to be in front and I am very happy there because I am at home. I’m Spanish for my mother’s sake.”
Neymar loses his cool
Neymar lost his temper after Nice striker Amine Gouiri attempted to use the Brazilian’s signature move against him on Saturday.
The Parisians suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Nice at the weekend, marking their third loss of the season.
But, Neymar managed to get himself in trouble with the officials AFTER the final whistle.
Gouiri was keen to showboat after the referee ended the game and tried a rainbow flick.
However, the Brazilian took offence to this and reacted by pushing the striker.
Both the referee and the linesman had to intervene to prevent a potential fight from breaking out.
Sarri wants Kepa reunion
A fresh report has claimed that Maurizio Sarri wants to reunite with Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer.
The Spanish stopper was brought to Stamford Bridge by the Italian back in 2018 for £71.6million from Athletic Bilbao.
Now Sarri, who is in charge of Lazio back in his Italian homeland, wants to sign him on a season-long loan.
Speculation has been rife for several months that the Serie A side were plotting a move for the goalkeeper.
However, a deal failed to materialise during the January transfer window.
But Corriere dello Sport now claims that Sarri will attempt to get Kepa this summer on a season-long loan – despite the pair’s infamous Wembley fall-out.
Newcastle in Diaby transfer hunt
Newcastle are lining up a £50million bid for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, according to reports.
According to The Mail, they have identified Leverkusen winger Diaby as someone they are keen to sign.
However, the Germans reportedly want a fee rivalling the £75m they received from Chelsea for Kai Havertz.
Rubin shuts down Chelsea claims
American sports mogul Michael Rubin has shut down claims he plans to Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
Rubin had been touted as a potential buyer by ESPN, but his representatives have come out to publicly dispel the rumours.
Rubin’s spokesperson said: “Michael has no interest in buying Chelsea. He is 100% focused on continuing to build the Fanatics business and is not interested in adding ownership stakes at this time.”
Abramovich nearly brought Arsenal
Roman Abramovich could have bought Arsenal instead of Chelsea— but he was mistakenly warned off the Gunners by ignorant Swiss bankers.
The stunning revelations have been made in book, The Club, penned by two Wall Street Journal writers.
They spoke at length with executives from leading Premier League clubs.
The book claims in 2003, Abramovich hired Swiss bank UBS to examine the economics of English top-flight football.
One of its findings was that ‘Arsenal were categorically not for sale’.
The book also says former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein believed the club’s owners would have cashed in if Abramovich had offered.
McGregor ‘forms consortium’ to buy Chelsea
Conor McGregor has reportedly linked up with several other interested parties to make his dream of buying Chelsea come true.
McGregor’s allegedly grouped with the owners of the Chicago Cubs MLB team and property mogul Nick Candy to form a consortium with the hopes of acquiring the Blues from Abramovich.
Exclusive: A pack of international suitors including the owners of the Chicago Cubs MLB team, the property entrepreneur Nick Candy and the MMA star Conor McGregor are exploring forming consortia to bid for Chelsea FC as Roman Abramovich plots a £3bn sale. https://t.co/2Ly2mqKcv4— Mark Kleinman (@MarkKleinmanSky) March 5, 2022
Death brawl on football pitch
Two people have been killed and more than 20 more taken to hospital after a bloody riot broke out during a Mexican football match between Queretaro and Atlas.
The brawls broke out about an hour into the top-flight clash at Corregidora Stadium on Saturday.
It was initially feared that multiple fans may have been killed after local reports in Mexico claimed as many as 17 were dead.
But officials from the Coordination of Civil Protection of the State of Querétaro later clarified that 22 people were transported to hospitals, with two in critical condition.
“The rest are stable. It should be mentioned that all of those injured are male and at this moment it’s been confirmed that four were from the state of Jalisco.”
Zinchenko’s gratitude for Ukraine support
Oleksandr Zinchenko admits he breaks down in tears every time British schoolkids tell him they are praying for Ukraine.
Manchester City’s left-back expressed gratitude to his club and people of the UK for the support he has received since Russia invaded his homeland.
Zinchenko, who has won 48 caps for his country, said: “Even outside the club, when I am walking in the street, little guys who are maybe ten-years-old from school come to me and say ‘we are praying for your country.’ Tears come from my eyes straight away.
“Everyone in Ukraine feels all of the world is standing with us.”
Kante speaks on Abramovich’s departure
Chelsea star N’Golo Kante admitted he and his team-mates were ‘not prepared’ for Roman Abramovich’s shock departure statement.
The Frenchman told Sky Sports: “It’s something we were not prepared for, it came quickly.
“But the only thing we can do, because we don’t control these things, is to do the best that we have always done.
“Which means that playing football at the best [possible level], for us, for the club, for the fans and see how the things are going and it’s the only thing we can control.
“It’s sad to see things like this [the invasion of Ukraine]. We can hope that it finishes as quickly as possible and in the best way.”
Ronaldo’s jet-set lifestyle
Cristiano Ronaldo bought a Gulfstream G200 twin-engine jet in 2015 for £20million.
He and partner Georgina Rodriguez have been seen making the most of the luxury transport.
Originally named the ‘Astra Galaxy’, the G200 is capable of reaching a top speed of 560mph.
Its range is up to 3,910 miles with four passengers in tow, so it’s ideal for quick flights from his new base in England to hubs around Europe.
But the G200 offers a generous seating configuration, and can fit as many as eight to 10 passengers for one flight.
Don’t worry about it
Jack Grealish has been told by Pep Guardiola to stop being ‘stupid’ for worrying about his poor scoring record.
Guardiola said: “If he is frustrated about his number of goals, he is a stupid man.
“That is not necessary to be frustrated about scoring goals. He has to play, and play good and try to do his best, that’s all he has to do. If he scores a goal, good. If not, next game.”
Keeping up with Jones
Man United are reportedly one of a host of clubs tracking Middlesbrough starlet Isaiah Jones.
The 22-year-old has gone from non-league unknown at Tooting & Mitchham to one of the Championship’s brightest stars in over the past two years.
Jones shone again last Tuesday at wing-back as Boro dumped Tottenham out of the FA Cup.
And 90 Min claims that his display led to Tottenham ‘asking to be kept informed’ over his future.
But United are allegedly ready to battle Spurs for any potential swoop should Chris Wilder’s side decide to cash-in.
Morning footy fans
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has slammed his own fans for chanting Roman Abramovich’s name while Turf Moor paid tribute to Ukraine before their Premier League match.
“It’s not the moment to do this. Listen, if we show solidarity, we show solidarity, and we should do it together,” Tuchel said after the game.
“We take the knee together, and if an important person from our club or another club unfortunately dies, we show a minute of respect. It’s not the moment to give other messages. It’s the moment to show respect.
“We do this because this is what we are also as a club. We show respect as a club, and we need our fans to commit to this minute of applause.
“At this moment, we do it for Ukraine, and there is no second opinion about the situation there. They have our thoughts and our support. We should stand together as a club. It’s not the moment for other messages.”
Chelsea have reportedly set a transfer fee for on-loan striker Armando Broja.
The 20-year-old striker has scored nine times for Southampton this term, where he has been shining on the South Coast.
And his form has alerted Arsenal and West Ham to his potential availability.
Now, Tuttomercatoweb claim the Blues are willing to accept offers in the region of £58million for the Albanian international.
Pep wants huge striker
Pep Guardiola told Manchester City they must splash the cash on a striker this summer.
The Etihad club are desperate to snap up a forward with long-term targets Harry Kane and Erling Haaland top of the wishlist.
City boss Guardiola was knocked back four times last summer for England captain Kane, with Spurs demanding £160million.
But the Spaniard, who has hinted to stay beyond 2023 when his contract is due to run out, said any forward planning must include a top goalscorer.
He said: “I think the club needs a striker. Definitely.”
Teen wonderkid Stones chase on
Wigan and Blackburn are checking out Guiseley teenager Josh Stones.
The striker, 18, is catching the eye in the National League North after only signing his first pro deal in October.
Stones has made 11 appearances so far this term, scoring once.
But he could now be set for a stunning move up the leagues, with Wigan and Blackburn both keen.
Stones was promoted to Guiseley’s first team earlier this season.
That’s after he netted nine times in just five games for their youth side.
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