Chelsea ‘on brink of civil war’ amid claims of ownership conflict – with Todd Boehly ‘preparing £2.5billion offer to buy out Clearlake Capital’

Todd Boehly is reportedly prepared to buy out Chelsea co-owners Clearlake Capital to avoid a boardroom ‘civil war’ at Stamford Bridge.

Boehly and Clearlake took over when Roman Abramovich was forced to sell following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Clearlake are majority shareholders with 61.5 per cent, while Boehly splits the remaining 38.5 per cent with two other investors.

Reports have claimed Boehly has been examining whether he can buy out Clearlake, with his relationship with frontman Behdad Eghbali claimed to have broken down.

According to the Telegraph, the American believes he can quickly raise over £2.5billion to make an offer to Clearlake, which would give them a profit of their initial investment.

Mail Sport understands that while the relationship between Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali (left) is not as strong as it was two years ago it remains professional

The report claims Boehly has the backing of investors, with the 50-year-old said to have a 20 to 30 year vision for the club, including developing a new stadium.

Boehly is said to have concluded the current ownership structure is ‘untenable’, with a solution needing to be found. 

Mail Sport reported on Friday that Clearlake have held no talks with Boehly and are only interested in increasing their own stake. 

While the relationship is not as strong as it was following the takeover of two years ago it remains professional, with agreement needed to get things done. 

American investment firm Clearlake are seeking to remain at Stamford Bridge into the next decade and would be keen on taking any of the three 13 per cent stakes they hold.

Eghbali is most involved of all owners, working closest with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, not least over another hectic summer of transfers.