Conor McGregor serious about Chelsea FC bid as he prepares 'formal offer'

MMA star McGregor appeared to be joking when he suggested on social media that he would be interested in buying the current European champions, after their owner Roman Abramovich hastily put the club up for sale.

Billionaire Russian oligarch Abramovich is keen to sell Chelsea quickly as he looks to off-load his London assets amid a threat that he will be sanctioned by the UK government due to his linked with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Several Russian billionaires have already been targeted by UK officials following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Abramovich the highest profile oligarch with business linked in the UK.

McGregor's interest in Chelsea was dismissed after he posted a social media cartoon film showing what it would look like if he took over at Stamford Bridge, but now Sky News are claiming his interest is genuine.

"Sky News understands that Mr McGregor's management company Paradigm Sports, is working with McGregor Sports & Entertainment and Empowerment IP Capital, which is headed by the prominent sports financier Stephen Duval, on a bid for Chelsea," read their report.

"One source said that Mr McGregor's consortium was also in discussions with a major global asset management company to provide financial firepower for a bid.

"A formal offer from the MMA fighter is expected to be "far above" the £1.5bn referred to in Mr McGregor's remarks this week."

Wealthy potential buyers in America and around the world have been sounded out by Abramovich in recent days, amid claims that he wants £3billion to sell Chelsea.