Chelsea’s rivals could match £150m deal in new twist – Kieran Maguire
Other Premier League clubs will be “closely monitoring” the loophole used by Chelsea to avoid a PSR breach.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Blues are “within the rules” after reports that they have sold their training ground to a sister company.
According to football finance expert Stefan Borson (12 May), Chelsea have attempted to sell their Cobham training ground in an intra-company transaction.
It is understood that the sale would be enough to help Chelsea avoid a breach of the Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness previously told Football Insider (16 May) that the valuation of the site has increased from £23million in 2015 to £150million – an increase of £127million in nine years.
The Londoners completed a similar deal last season when they sold two hotels outside Stamford Bridge for a combined £77million to help balance their books.
Chelsea loophole could be used by Premier League rivals
Maguire explained that such transactions are within the rules of the Premier League so other top-flight clubs could look to strike similar deals.
“The sale of assets from one part of a football club to a sister company is prohibited under EFL rules,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“The Premier League has had ample opportunity to match up to the EFL’s approach but they have chosen not to do so.
“It means that there’s a very easy workaround for any club that owns real estate and wants to circumvent the PSR rules.
“The profits of doing so will contribute to the £105million limit.
“If Chelsea have done this – and they have denied it – then they are within the rules.
“I suspect – unless the rules are changed – that other Premier League clubs will be closely monitoring this approach.“
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