Roman Abramovich ‘flew private jet to Turkey’ this week as Istanbul billionaire Muhsin Bayrak nears Chelsea takeover
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ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has reportedly flown by private jet to Turkey to potentially discuss the sale of Chelsea to Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak.
The Russian is looking for a £3billion buyer for the Blues after deciding to cut his ties with the club following questions over his links with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich is writing off £1.5bn in debt to force through Chelsea’s sale, insisting he had ‘the club’s best interests at heart’ when he put the Blues on the market.
Now the claims that a private jet owned by the oligarch headed to Turkey on Wednesday to potentially discuss terms with Bayrak.
The £48.7million luxury 2019 Gulfstream G650ER aircraft - one of six in his fleet - flew from Moscow and briefly landed in Istanbul before heading to Turkish capital Ankara.
Bayrak claims that he has been locked in negotiations with Abrahimovich over buying the Premier League club and insists he is ‘in the negotiation phase for the signatures’.
Little-known Bayrak, worth a reported £8bn, has also vowed to 'fly the Turkish flag in London soon'.
That suggests Abramovich may have travelled to Turkey in order to discuss details of the sale to the tycoon.
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American Todd Boehly and Swiss Hansjorg Wyss initially appeared to be frontrunners to buy Chelsea.
Now Bayrak’s claims and this latest report suggests he is set to complete the purchase.
He told Turkish outlet : “We are negotiating the terms of the purchase of Chelsea with Roman Abramovich's lawyers.
“We are in the negotiation phase for the signatures. We will fly the Turkish flag in London soon.
“We made our offer. Because of the war with Russia and Ukraine in the world. Because they find Turkey safe, they want to get most of the after-sales money in Turkey. We are planning to sign soon.”
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