Chelsea are reportedly willing to sell a stake in their women’s team amid interest from two investors.
In Europe, men’s and women’s sides representing the same club usually operate under the same owners.
However, that changed when businesswoman Michele Kang purchased a majority stake French giants Lyon women’s team only.
Chelsea Women team huddle prior to kick off during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 semi-final second leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona (Photo by Stephanie Meek – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Chelsea are now willing to go similar path with discussions understood to be centred around a hefty £159million valuation which, if met, would see the Londoners’ current owners give up some control of the women’s team at boardroom level.
Two possible investors are reportedly engaged in preliminary discussions while a third company, Mercury 13, are said to be keeping track of the situation.
According to reports, Chelsea hope to fetch in excess of £159m for relinquishing a stake in their women’s side, although they have reportedly ruled out an outright sale.
Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly pledged investment into the women’s team when they took control of the club in 2022.
Undoubtedly one of the best female teams in the world, Chelsea are in contention to win a fifth consecutive Women’s Super Leaguel (WSL) title, sitting three points behind table-toppers Manchester City with a game in hand.
