Chelsea owner, Todd Boehly has reportedly expressed interest in buying Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
The American businessman completed his takeover of the Blues at the end of last May after Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale when he was sanctioned in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Boehly who already co-owns two basketball teams, Los Angeles Sparks and Los Angeles Lakers as well as baseball side Los Angeles Dodgers, is looking to expand his sporting empire and has held talks with Strasbourg’s president Marc Keller, who has been in charge of the French side since 2012, about a potential takeover.
According to L’Equipe, Boehly and his partners are interested in buying a 100 per cent stake in Strasbourg. The club is currently plying their trade in the top division of French football and are 15th in the table after winning four of their 24 matches this season.
Last September, there were reports that Boehly wanted to explore the possibility of buying a club in Brazil after being turned down by Santos.
And in December, there was talk of opportunities to take over several French clubs, with Sochaux having previously rejected Boehly, according to reports. And it appears the American’s attentions have now turned to Strasbourg.
While owners are not allowed to own more than one club in England, there are no rules preventing them from snapping up outfits in difference countries across the world. UEFA have rules in place to stop clubs with the same owners coming up against each other in European competitions. But Boehly pointed at other multi-club models as he addressed the issue last year.
Strasbourg have previously struggled financially and had to restart in the fifth tier in 2011 after being liquidated, but returned to the professional game in 2016, and Ligue 1 in 2017. A deal with a club as big as Chelsea would undoubtedly be huge for Les Bleus et Blanc, who have won Ligue 1 once in their history.
Boehly has splashed the cash since his consortium completed a takeover of Chelsea last summer – investing close to £600million into the squad. That investment is yet to pay dividends, with Graham Potter’s side languishing in 10th in the Premier League table.
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