Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Tom Coley

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly 'determined' to strike statement deal

Todd Boehly is continuing to be outoging and active as Chelsea owner as his latest plans emerge. Ever since taking over the American has made his intentions of buying another football club clear and he, along with part-owner Behdad Eghbali, are making good on that promise.

"We’ve talked about having a multi-club model. I would love to continue to build out the footprint," he said last year after taking over. There are different countries where there are advantages to having a club. Red Bull does a good job. Manchester City has a big network of clubs.

"Our goal is to ensure pathways for our young stars to get on to the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time. To do that is through another club in a really competitive league in Europe."

READ MORE: Man United tipped to complete five transfers to seal £37m Chelsea move

The benefits of the multi-club model are multi-faceted and have been laid bare by Eghbali, who has explained it, saying, "I think three different reasons for it. One, if done well you can make money on each specific enterprise.

"Two, if done right, if you use data, if you're thoughtful about this global market for talent and access of talent that is not effectively done through a draft or an extensive college or baseball farm system which I would attribute as a multi club model. You can capture, acquire, retain, sign talent and monetise talent. There's a talent arbitrage opportunity that exists."

Now, with attempts to secure the first club in the wider model under Chelsea so far unsuccessful, Maisfutebol write that Boehly and Co are determined to buy a Portuguese side and will have a key advantage in doing so.

It is said that agency company Gestifute are in the process of looking for deals involving certain clubs including Rio Ave and also Moreirense. Where Chelsea and Boehly come in is through a more household name, Jorge Mendes.

The super agent has formed a massive part of the global footballing network and has already come face-to-face with Boehly multiple times. He first offered the services of Cristiano Ronaldo to Boehly last summer, something that did interest the owner. Since then he was involved as a key intermediary between the Blues and Benfica in the deal to bring Enzo Fernandez to London.

Fernandez himself is a case in point as to why the Blues want this thing to happen too. The Argentine was picked up by Benfica in Portugal, a side that have one of the most extensive scouting networks with a remarkable track record for signing talented players and offering them a pathway.

That is exactly what Boehly is trying to tap into with Chelsea. So far so good on that front with Fernandez so Boehly will be hoping for another successful transaction with Mendes at the centre of it.

Previous attempts to forge a group so far have involved reported talks with American-based investors 777 Partners, who own Genoa, Standard Liege and Brazilian outfit Vasco de Gama. They are also in deals to get Hertha Berlin and Sevilla.

Elsewhere, and closer to the desired outcome, it has been said that Boehly also made an offer to Portuguese side SAD Portimonense worth £35m for 75 per cent of the club but that hasn't gone through. It is reported that teams in Liga Portugal have been making themselves open to Boehly though as it is seen as an attractive proposition.

READ NEXT:

Jose E. Feliciano net worth rockets as Chelsea and Clearlake Capital take next steps

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has shock Stamford Bridge alternative to make £2bn dream a reality

Latest Chelsea injury news as nine could miss Aston Villa amid N'Golo Kante plan

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has £35m bid 'rejected' after seven months of talks

Victor Osimhen has told Chelsea manager Graham Potter what he wants to hear

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.