Chelsea’s owners have purchased a majority stake in French club Strasbourg for near enough the same fee they are selling Kai Havertz for.
The London club owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have made it their ambition to create a multi-club project, with Chelsea at its base.
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Several teams had been approached but they have made a huge step to fulfilling that dream by buying a majority stake in Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg.
The fee stands at £65million – almost exactly the same fee that Chelsea are set to sell Havertz for to Arsenal.
The Germany international has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners over what would be the biggest transfer under Mikel Arteta’s reign.
Chelsea have been keen to offload players while Havertz will enter the last two years of his contract and he has let the club know he will not be signing a new one.
The two London clubs have thrashed out negotiations over the last few weeks and have struck an agreement on around £65m – the same fee that is being spent on Strasbourg.
And while the exact stake is not known, the Guardian report that it is very close to being 100 per cent.
That is another boost to Boehly and co, who had thought they might have to settle for a minority stake.
The deal was announced on Thursday and will give Chelsea’s owners, under the guise BlueCo, overwhelming control of Strasbourg.
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A statement read: “This strategic investment would further our presence in European football, alongside our ownership of Chelsea.
“We believe it would create huge opportunities to share knowledge and expertise.”
Current president Mark Keller is expected to continue in his role for the time being while the Blues will likely send young players on loan to the club to give them ample playing-time.
Boehly has previously spoken out on his dream to run several clubs across the world, with a multi-club model being a method “we can show pathways for our young superstars to get on to the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time”.
Strasbourg fought to stay in Ligue 1 last season, and survived by finishing 15th, which affected the price.
But it will give Chelsea youngsters a chance to flourish in a competitive league in Europe.
Boehly had been in talks with clubs from France, Belgium, Portugal and South America, including Bordeaux before negotiations fell through.
Chelsea are not the first club to embark on such a project with Manchester City also controlling various teams across the globe under City Group management, including Melbourne City, New York City FC and Girona.
Brighton also have a similar project underway where Seagulls chief Tony Bloom also owns Belgian team Union Saint-Gilloise.
