Chelsea sale in doubt amid fears Roman Abramovich wants £1.6bn loan repaid

The sale of Chelsea is in major doubt because of fears that Roman Abramovich is attempting to renege on his promise to write off his £1.6bn loan to the club.

On a day when Sir Jim Ratcliffe increased the pressure on Todd Boehly’s consortium, who have been granted preferred bidder status, it emerged that Chelsea said during talks with the government last week that they wanted to restructure the way the club is being sold. That would include paying off the debt from the club’s parent company, Fordstam Ltd, to a Jersey-based company, Camberley International Investments, which appears to be linked to Abramovich.

Related: Chelsea sale: Boehly group the preferred bidder despite late Ratcliffe bid

The suggestion caused surprise at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and some ministers believe it would be politically toxic to agree to it while Abramovich’s assets are frozen. The Russian oligarch, who was hit with sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine, has previously indicated net proceeds of the sale would go to victims of the war in Ukraine.

Abramovich is arguing that the sanctions will prevent him from writing off Chelsea’s debt. There is a sense in Westminster this could be a late bargaining ploy. However there are growing concerns that the sale could drag on, with Chelsea’s operating licence set to expire on 31 May. Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, said last week the European champions were on “borrowed time”. There have been warnings that Chelsea could be prevented from playing in the Premier League and in Europe next season if they are not under new ownership before their licence expires.

Chelsea and a spokesperson for Abramovich have been approached for comment.

It is understood that some in