Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly rejected a takeover bid for the Blues from the Middle East.
Abramovich, 52, bought Chelsea back in 2003 and has helped the club claim five Premier League trophies.
The Russian was a regular figurw in the Stamford Bridge directors’ box at the start of his tenure at the club but has not been seen around recently as his visa row continues.
According to The Telegraph, Abramovich received a big money offer to buy Chelsea from a Middle East consortium at the end of last campaign.
It is believed that Abramovich has no intention to sell the club – and will demand at least £3billion before he even consider holding discussions.
Roman Abramovich’s absence from Stamford Bridge has led to speculation he is willing to sell the club. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, has a season ticket with the blues and was linked with a bid just last year.
Last month, he admitted the stadium issues at Stamford Bridge would take too long to resolve, saying he had held discussions but decided against a takeover bid.
“There was some early exchange but we were a significant way apart on valuations,” he said. “The issue with Chelsea is its stadium. We are all getting older and it is a decade of your life to resolve that.”
Last week former England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed he encouraged Abramovich to buy Chelsea instead of Tottenham 16 years ago.
The Swede told The Times: ‘Tottenham or Chelsea? I said, “What does he want to do?” He said he wants to win.
‘I said, “So buy Chelsea. You have to change half the team. Tottenham you have to change the whole team.’
