Chelsea could be facing yet another dramatic shift in ownership after reports emerged that Dubai-based entrepreneur, Lee Andrews is preparing a bid to acquire a majority stake in the west London club.
Andrews, 42, has publicly declared his intention to push forward with what he himself described as a “crazy and ambitious” plan to buy into the reigning World Club Cup holders.
Chelsea are currently sixth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Arsenal by 22 points.
“I can’t tell you all the workings and inner parts to my wealth but definitely the money is there. It sounds crazy, it sounds ambitious, but watch this space,” Andrews told The Sun.
Any bid would require a vast fortune to challenge current owner Todd Boehly, who led the £4.25billion takeover in 2022.
Since then, Chelsea have endured turbulent times, cycling through five managers and posting a £262.4million pre-tax loss last season despite securing Champions League football.
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Boehly’s wealth, estimated between $8.4billion and $9.3billion, dwarfs Andrews’ reported annual earnings of £2million to £5million.
The American also holds a huge stake in Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers.
Andrews, meanwhile, has faced criticism over his credibility, with former partners accusing him of exaggerating his achievements and financial standing.
He has previously claimed to hold a Cambridge PhD, run a sustainable vehicle company, and even be fluent in “almost every known language.”
Despite doubts, Andrews continues to project confidence, sharing social media posts about becoming a “future trillionaire” and belonging to “the 1%.”
Whether his ambitions translate into a genuine bid for Chelsea remains to be seen.