LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is seen prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the former owner who ushered in Chelsea FC’s most successful era, is reportedly exploring a significant investment opportunity within Turkish football, with giants Galatasaray named as the primary target.
According to Sozcu the oligarch is contemplating a move to Istanbul and plans to secure a prominent stake within the Süper Lig champions.
The Chelsea Legacy and 2022 Exit
Abramovich’s tenure at Chelsea, which began in 2003, fundamentally reshaped European football. His massive financial backing transformed the London club into a global powerhouse, securing five English Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies during his nearly two decades of ownership.
His time at the helm ended abruptly in 2022, when he was forced to sell the club for a reported £4.25 billion following UK sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since the sale, Abramovich has largely retreated from the public football sphere, though his focus has increasingly shifted toward Türkiye, notably following reports of his leasing a seaside mansion on the Bosphorus in 2022.
Structural Roadblocks for Ownership
While the prospect of Abramovich’s capital entering the Turkish league has generated excitement, any direct purchase faces major structural obstacles within Galatasaray.
Unlike clubs owned by private corporations, Galatasaray’s publicly traded entity, Galatasaray Sportif A.Ş., is ultimately controlled by the Galatasaray Foundation. The club operates on a membership model, meaning assets cannot be freely sold to external, individual investors unless the foundation itself changes its fundamental structure.
For Abramovich to engage financially, sources suggest he would likely have to pursue indirect forms of cooperation. This could include major sponsorships, infrastructure partnerships, or joint ventures through the club’s commercial subsidiaries, rather than seeking a direct equity stake in the traditional sense.
Should a pathway be found through permissible channels, Abramovich’s involvement would mark one of the most high-profile foreign investments in the history of Turkish sports. Galatasaray, who have won the Süper Lig title for the past three consecutive seasons, continues to prioritize expanding its international brand.
As of yet, there has been no official statement issued by either Abramovich’s representatives or the club to confirm or deny the circulating reports.