Roman Abramovich sells his £ 200 million London a portfolio of properties within days to avoid freezing his assets in the event that he is sanctioned by the UK, it was announced last night.
The future of the billionaire oligarch as owner of the Chelsea football club and as a resident has been questioned after a member of parliament told parliament that he was considering offers for his Kensington mansion and penthouse by the river.
Abramovich is ready to receive offers for the club “this week” amid growing pressure for the billionaire to step down after being seen as an ally of Vladimir Putin.
The 55-year-old, who is said to have £ 12 billion, announced his intention to put the club’s management in the hands of the Chelsea Foundation’s trustees last week, two days after Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
However, the charity commission received a “serious incident report” from trustees amid concerns about how Abramovich’s plan could materialize.
Roman Abramovich sells off his £ 200m portfolio of London property in days to avoid freezing his assets if he is sanctioned by Britain, it was announced last night
It is said that Abramovich now wants to unload his 15-bedroom mansion in Kensington Palace Gardens, valued at more than £ 150 million. The property is located on the road between several embassies and is guarded at each end
Abramovich also wants to land a three-story penthouse in the Chelsea Waterfront, worth about 22 million pounds
It is now rumored that Abramovich wants to unload his 15-bedroom mansion at Kensington Palace Gardens, valued at more than £ 150 million, and a three-story penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront, valued at around £ 22 million.
Labor MP Chris Bryant has called for Abramovich to be sanctioned, claiming he is already selling off his assets.
“Abramovich, he is afraid of sanctions, so he will sell his house tomorrow and sell another apartment,” Mr Bryant told the House of Commons.
Mr Bryant added that there was “concern” that the delay in formally targeting Abramovich could mean that the billionaire “would have sold everything until we get to his sanction”.
According to The timesemployees at his Kensington property, which is on the same road as several high-security embassies, were told to await inspections.
Chinese buyers are said to be interested in the mansion, but the sale could be a lengthy affair, given the cost and proper scrutiny that agents must carry out.
Abramovich is not known after it was announced that he was in Belarus to help as a unlikely mediator in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine on Monday. His superyacht Solaris (pictured) was moored in Barcelona.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (pictured at Stamford Bridge) may receive offers for the club this week, as government sanctions are looming over him
Abramovich has become a less frequent visitor to London in recent years after problems with his business visa. He has Israeli and Portuguese citizenship in addition to being a Russian citizen.
His whereabouts are unknown after it was announced that he was in Belarus to help as a unlikely mediator in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks on Monday.
His private jet was registered on Tuesday, landing in Moscow, but took off again. A helicopter he owned was flying in the Caribbean while his Solaris superyacht was moored in Barcelona.
Abramovich is expected to focus on a series of offers that are said to be arranged for Chelsea this week, as the threat of government sanctions looms over him.
At least three countries are interested in buying the club in West London, The Telegraph reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pictured with Abramovich in 2016. Chelsea owner accused of helping presidential regime
Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home in west London on Monday after Abramovich transferred management to the club’s charity foundation
View of the main square of the city hall building in Kharkov, Ukraine, after heavy shelling by Russia on Tuesday
Smoke rises from a damaged armored car at a checkpoint in Brovary, near Kyiv, on Tuesday
Earlier, Chelsea said that the club is not for sale, but there is a growing feeling that Abramovich may be left without a choice.
Immigration officials have reportedly been instructed to make it impossible for Abramovich – who owns a £ 125 million mansion near Kensington Palace – to be based in the UK, claiming he is preparing to sell the property.
If the Chelsea owner is subject to sanctions this week, stakeholders may have to wait to see if they can trade with him at all.
Abramovich turned down a large-scale bid to buy Chelsea from US financier Todd Bowley because he missed his £ 3bn estimate in 2019. The club also owes him £ 1.51bn, a figure he may want to be. paid.
Potential candidates are believed to have been encouraged by his move to hand over the club’s day-to-day operations on its basis last week.
While Chelsea claim that this move was to create a distance between the club and the owner, stakeholders identify this move as a step closer to selling.
However, the club has been asked to prove that Abramovich’s plan will not violate his charitable status.
The charity committee contacted the club and the foundation on Monday to ask for more details about the Russian’s proposal – which the trustees have not yet accepted.
Chelsea are expected to point out how the club and the foundation can remain separate units if run by the same people, although some trustees may choose to retire due to their own concerns.
Abramovich said in a statement on Saturday night: “During my almost 20 years of ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always looked at my role as a guardian of the club, whose job is to ensure that we are as successful as we can be. today. , as well as building for the future while playing a positive role in our communities.
“I have always made decisions with the best interest of the club. I remain committed to these values. That is why today I am giving the trustees of the Chelsea Charitable Foundation the management and care of Chelsea FC.
“I believe that they are currently in the best position to take care of the interests of the club, the players, the staff and the fans.”
Today, the emotional Thomas Tuchel asked reporters to stop asking him questions about the Ukraine-Russia conflict because he felt “bad” and “not a politician.”
Tuhel refuses to be involved in questions about Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (right)
The visibly annoyed Chelsea boss was answering questions before his FA Cup clash with Luton Town on Wednesday, but has been faced several times over the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
Apparently disappointed, Tuhel hit the table after being asked for his views on the conflict and Abramovich’s current status as Chelsea’s owner.
He said: “I have too much to answer. I am not aware of the details and the whole situation.
“There are situations like war that are much more important than football, that will never change. Situations like war are much more important.
“Mr. Abramovich’s role is not mine to comment on because we don’t know enough about it.”
Abramovich categorically denies that he is close to the Kremlin or has done anything that would deserve sanctions against him.