Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich’s takeover of Chelsea Football Club was thrust back into the spotlight today as it emerged that a second probe into shares in the team had been launched.

Chelsea’s 12,000 shareholders will receive a written offer for their shares next week as new owner Roman Abramovich bids to take the club private.

The most dramatic and eventful 48 hours in Chelsea’s 98-year history culminated tonight with the news controversial chairman Ken Bates is making plans for his retirement.

IT MAY be a difficult name to chant, but if Roman Abramovich can divert just a fraction of his wealth into the running of Chelsea football club he may well become the fans’ new favourite.

Chelsea owner Ken Bates has hailed a new era for the Premiership club after he agreed to sell his majority shareholding to a millionaire Russian businessman.

CHELSEA owner Ken Bates last night cleared the way for a Russian businessman to buy the club for around £30million.

THE man responsible for Chelsea’s “beach” of a pitch has admitted the Stamford Bridge playing surface was the worst he had ever seen at the weekend.

Chelsea midfielder Mario Stanic is awaiting the results of a scan on his knee to determine if he can play against Charlton this weekend.

Shares in Chelsea Football Club soared today as speculation about a possible takeover bid gripped the City.

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink may have to be sold by Chelsea to balance the books.

Chelsea Village has posted a full-year loss of £6.8m and revealed it cost nearly £2m to oust coach Gianluca Vialli and his staff at the start of last season.

Shares in Chelsea Village have risen by 14% this morning after it was reported that the Premiership club could be the subject of a takeover bid.