The west London club’s proprietors are in discussions regarding the sale of their shares, four years on from acquiring the Premier League outfit following the departure of their previous owner.
Sources indicate the two investors are negotiating to offload their Chelsea holdings to the American investment firm.
The California-based investment company, which holds the controlling interest, is in discussions to purchase the remaining shares held by the two co-owners.
The outlet has learned discussions have commenced following years of sporadic conversations between the factions. Despite this progress, an agreement remains uncertain at this stage.
Tensions between the investors and the controlling shareholder have persisted for the past two years. Despite holding a minority position, one of them serves as chairman with shared decision-making authority, while the investment firm maintains its 61.5 per cent stake.
The club has declined to comment when approached.
Bloomberg reports that federal authorities are examining Walter’s business interests for alleged financial misconduct. Investigations focus on two insurance enterprises and the international investment advisory firm Guggenheim Partners.
The entrepreneur recently divested the NBA franchise for more than £9billion, parting with the team within a year of acquiring majority ownership.
An independent source suggested Walter might consider offloading his Chelsea investment, with the Lakers sale potentially indicating a need to raise capital, and that Chelsea could serve as another avenue for achieving this.
The two investors reportedly value the club at more than £5billion, collectively holding approximately 25 per cent of shares.
Each investor holds 12.8 per cent, with another stakeholder controlling the remaining shares. At the proposed valuation, their combined stake would exceed £1.25million.
The investor group acquired the club for £2.5billion in 2022, with plans to invest an additional £1.75billion, seeking to potentially double their initial investment.
The original agreement reportedly contained provisions mandating the sale of shares to the controlling investor or another stakeholder during the first ten years of ownership. The chairman is expected to leave his position as his five-year term concludes in May, with the majority shareholder assuming control.