$19b Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich slapped where it hurts the most

Sharks are circling Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who is suddenly reeling from $2.7 billion slap in the face.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge. Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images.

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has had his resolve tested by a bid for Chelsea.

American billionaire Todd Boehly and his Swiss business partner Hansjorg Wyss are waiting to hear back after making an offer, The Sun reports.

Russian owner Abramovich is being forced to sell up following his country’s invasion of Ukraine and the potential of his assets being seized in the UK.

Abramovich, whose fortune is worth nearly $19 billion, according to the latest data from Forbes magazine, wants around $5.4 billion for his club — but experts claim he will be lucky to get half that amount.

Russian owner Roman Abramovich might never return to Stamford Bridge. Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP.

Boehly, part-owner of the LA Dodgers baseball team, is just one of several interested parties.

Last week, Turkish cryptocurrency mogul Muhsin Bayrak claimed he was on the verge of sealing a deal for the European champions.

And Bayrak stated again yesterday he would hold further talks with Abramovich’s representatives tomorrow.

In addition, Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets NFL team, has been tipped as another would-be buyer, as has a private Saudi Media group.

New York-based merchant bankers Raine are handling the sale if it goes through.

The sale is causing most interest in the US where billionaire Josh Harris, a minority shareholder at Crystal Palace, has also been linked with a move to buy one of world football’s most fashionable teams.

Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London. Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP.

A 'Football Stands Together' message is displayed in Ukrainian colours ahead of the English League Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool. Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP.

Abramovich has set an initial March 15 deadline for bids to buy the club he bought for £140million in 2003.

He has previously knocked back offers of $4 billion for the club, but now he has been forced to return to the bargaining table.

Abramovich has previously loaned Chelsea $2.7 billion through holding company Fordstam. It is unclear if he will demand to be paid out in full as part of his conditions for selling the club.

The 55-year-old is also reportedly set to be banned from living in Britain as a result of being classified a person “of interest” because of his links to “corrupt activity and practices” with senior Russian officials.

— This story originally appeared on thesun.co.uk and has been republished with permission