Roman Abramovich sets record straight as ex-Chelsea owner 'lines up stunning football return'

• Chelsea
• Chelsea News
• Roman Abramovich

Reports in Turkey claimed that the Russian businessman was preparing to make a move to purchase Galatasaray.

A representative of former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has spoken out about speculation linking the Russian businessman with the purchase of Turkish side Galatasaray.

Earlier this week, it was claimed by Turkish outlet Sozcu that Abramovich planned to become one of Galatasaray’s largest shareholders and had even bought a mansion in the country and was preparing to move to Istanbul.

However, that has now been denied, with 112.ua reporting that he does not plan to invest into any football club. A representative of Abramovich is reported to say that the information is ‘not true’.

The Russian businessman owned Chelsea between 2003 and 2022. In that time, the club won the Premier League five times, the FA Cup five times, the League Cup three times and the Champions League twice.

He was forced to sell Chelsea after being sanctioned by the UK Government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He completed the sale of the club to a consortium including Todd Boehly for a fee of £4.25bn.

Abramovich’s denial of his interest in Galatasaray goes alongside the stance he outlined in returning to football earlier this year. In ‘Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC’ the former Chelsea chief said:

“I don't have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.

“There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference.

"But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”

He did however express his desire to one day return to Stamford Bridge. “Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that.”

It has been reported that Abramovich has 'turned his back on football' and no longer goes to games after he was forced to sell Chelsea.