Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
It has been confirmed that Clearlake have assumed full control of Chelsea after purchasing the stakes held by Todd Boehly and Mark Walter. But how much do they think Chelsea is worth?
It has been in the works for a while. Mark Walter has wanted to sell his 12.7% stake in Chelsea for a while now, as investigators take a look at his investments and portfolio. He sold the LA Lakers for $12.5bn.
Walter is selling off his investments, and Boehly has wanted to wash his hands of Chelsea for some time. Despite being the face of Chelsea’s ownership over the last four years, Boehly only owned around 12.9%.
Now, the duo have sold their stakes to Clearlake as Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano – the face of Clearlake – take full control. Hansjorg Wyss’ stake remains – around 12.7% – but Clearlake have control.
READ MORE: Inside Todd Boehly’s Chelsea reign – the ‘all-star’ plan and sporting director role
How much do Clearlake rate Chelsea now?
Given they have just bought Boehly and Walter’s stakes for a £1bn fee, and their stakes equated to little over a combined 25% of Chelsea, it would make sense for Chelsea to be valued in the region of £4bn.
Todd Boehly graphic
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
However, according to BBC Sport, Clearlake believe Chelsea is a £5bn club. With Walter and Boehly in a selling position, it might be that Clearlake have struck a cut-price deal to assume their percentages.
The fact that Clearlake, combined with Boehly, Walter and Wyss, bought Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in 2022 could mean that a discount was afforded to Clearlake. Ultimately, Clearlake will feel it is a bargain.
What now? What changes? What do Clearlake intend to do?
The main topic that saw Boehly and Clearlake clash was the building of a stadium, or the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge. Christian Purslow recently claimed that he could not see Chelsea playing elsewhere.
Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter watch on in Club World Cup final
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
However, that could now change with Boehly gone. Eghbali has always pushed for a new stadium, or an improvement to Stamford Bridge. Good news for fans – but where does Clearlake stand in the long run?
It feels like Clearlake are in it for the long run; the start of a new era. But there is always a deal to be done and realistically, if Clearlake do want to sell, they need Xabi Alonso to be a major success as Blues boss.
They will want to guide Chelsea back into the Champions League and challenge for trophies. That will increase the value of the club, and in turn, make them more money if and when they do decide to sell.