A Binance spokesperson told Reuters that the cryptocurrency exchange’s CEO discussed buying Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea club, but ruled out any such deal. Changping Zhao spoke to Ren Group, the US investment bank representing Chelsea in the sale, but declined to pursue because owning a football team was not his priority, the spokesman said.
Abramovich put Chelsea FC up for sale last week after the Russian invasion of Ukraine sparked an international backlash against businessmen with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Abramovich denied the existence of such relationships.
Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, has many links to the world of football. He also sponsored the Africa Cup of Nations, the Argentine national team and the Italian club Lazio. Ren did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chelsea, the current European and world club champions, declined to comment on the sale.
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People familiar with the matter said Abramovich expects the West London club to generate over £ 3 billion ($ 4 billion). Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 for £ 140 million.
The sale attracted interest from suitors including American billionaire Todd Boyle, who owns stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball club and the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. Sources said Boehly partnered in an effort with Swiss billionaire businessman Hansjorg Wyss.
Boehly and Wyss declined to comment. Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has also publicly expressed interest in buying the club. Sources said it could take up to a month to approve the sale with a successful bidder. Abramovich said the proceeds from the sale will go to support the victims of the war in Ukraine.
Ryan also advised Binance, which processes billions of dollars in business every month, about its $ 200 million investment last month in US media group Forbes.
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