Premier League soccer membership Chelsea may need discovered an American purchaser after the sanctioned Russian oligarch who at present owns the membership introduced earlier this month that he can be promoting it.

The Ricketts household, which owns the Chicago Cubs, mentioned Wednesday that it could put in a bid to purchase Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, the Related Press reported.

"As long-time operators of an iconic skilled sports activities staff, the Ricketts household and their companions perceive the significance of investing for fulfillment on the pitch, whereas respecting the traditions of the membership, the followers and the group," the household mentioned in an announcement launched by a London-based communications agency. "We sit up for sharing additional particulars of our plans in the end."

Abramovich was sanctioned by the British authorities within the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine final month, and the Premier League introduced Saturday that it had disqualified him as a director of the membership. As a result of the oligarch owns the membership, it was frozen as considered one of his belongings within the sanctions, and the membership's belongings had been frozen as nicely.

He introduced in an announcement launched March 2 that he deliberate to promote Chelsea, a choice he mentioned was "in the very best curiosity of the Membership, the followers, the staff, in addition to the Membership's sponsors and companions."

Chelsea FC Buyer
Premier League soccer membership Chelsea may need discovered an American purchaser after the sanctioned Russian oligarch who owns the membership introduced this month that he can be promoting it. Above, Chelsea's Kai Havertz (proper) celebrates with teammates after scoring his facet's first purpose in opposition to Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London on March 13, 2022.Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photograph

Abramovich mentioned that the sale of the membership "won't be fast-tracked however will observe due course of." He added that he wouldn't be asking for his loans to be repaid and had directed his staff to create a charitable basis that may donate all the sale's web proceeds to profit victims of the warfare in Ukraine.

"This has by no means been about enterprise nor cash for me, however about pure ardour for the sport and Membership," he mentioned within the assertion.

"Please know that this has been an extremely troublesome resolution to make, and it pains me to half with the Membership on this method. Nevertheless, I do imagine that is in the very best curiosity of the Membership," he added.

The Ricketts household mentioned that it plans to place in its bid to purchase the membership on Friday, based on the AP.

Others are additionally contemplating bidding for the soccer membership, together with Todd Boehly, a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and British property developer Nick Sweet.

Newsweek reached out to Chelsea for remark.

Replace 3/16/22, 11:12 a.m. ET: This story was up to date with further info and background.