Three billionaires including Todd Boehly sign agreement to buy Chelsea

AMERICAN billionaire Todd Boehly has signed a purchase agreement to take over Chelsea alongside two businessmen.

Boehly is poised to run the London side despite a last-gasp £4billion offer from Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

GettyTodd Boehly’s Chelsea takeover is allegedly ‘close’ to being finalised[/caption]

Todd Boehly head of the consortium who has agreed a deal to take over Chelsea is pictured at Stamford Bridge last night along with George Osbourne,Not known, clear with picture desk

Boehly and his consortium, which includes Mark Walter, Hansjorg Wyss and investment firm Clearlake Capital, still face two more hurdles before they officially take charge.

He was pictured at Stamford Bridge on Friday and will now be put forward for Government and Premier League approval.

It is expected the league will approve the takeover, but only after the completion of an owners’ and directors’ test.

Boehly is on course to complete his takeover by the end of this month, as just over three weeks remain on the club’s current operating licence, which expires on May 31.

In a statement Chelsea said the deal is “expected to complete in late May subject to all necessary regulatory approvals”.

The Blues confirmed the consortium’s sum of £2.5bn will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate it to charitable causes as confirmed by Roman Abramovich. 

Government approval will be required for the proceeds to be transferred from the account.

Boehly is a part-owner of the LA Dodgers and LA Lakers, while Water is a giant in the finance world and Wyss is a philanthropist.