After some questionable transfer decisions, Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are being bailed out of trouble amid a precarious financial situation, courtesy of interest in a host of expendable players from Saudi Arabia. However, the Blues must tread carefully, as their transfer dealings could mean they risk being thrust into hot water again.
A spending spree sparked by the Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) takeover of four of the kingdom's leading clubs earlier in June - Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli - has caused a serious stir across the world of football. The fund has acquired a 75 percent stake in each of those sides and has immediately set about targeting elite-level players for their assets.
Karim Benzema's move to Al-Ittihad has been the marquee signing of the summer so far following Al-Nassr's groundbreaking capture of Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of 2022, but the Saudi focus has shifted onto as many as SIX Chelsea players who have been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, and another whose contract is up.
But how could this fire sale help Chelsea, and what are the possible ramifications?