Chelsea FC ‘for sale’ as Putin allies face probe

It would make a significant profit for Mr Abramovich, who bought it for £150million 15 years ago and has lent Chelsea another £1.1billion. The tycoon, thought to be worth £9billion, has been caught up in the row after Russia’s chemical weapons attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in March.

As revealed by the Daily Express, Britain intends to put pressure on Mr Putin by targeting his rich British-based allies.

Mr Abramovich, believed to have strong links to Mr Putin, acquired his fortune through the sale of assets, including oil and aluminium, in the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Though there is no suggestion that Mr Abramovich has done anything wrong, he has been unable to renew his visa and missed Chelsea’s FA Cup win in May.

He has since obtained Israeli citizenship which allows him to travel to the UK but not work here.

In May Chelsea put on ice plans to build a new £1billion 60,000-seat stadium in west London because of an “unfavourable investment climate”.

Chelsea are understood to have turned down a £2billion bid from Britain’s richest man, Ineos chemicals chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Chelsea declined to comment on the claims but a senior club official said that the club is not for sale and that there is no intention to sell.