Chelsea sale thrown into doubt amid government concerns over where proceeds will go

It was announced the American billionaire had agreed to purchase the club off Roman Abramovich in a £4.25billion deal earlier in May.

But Abramovich, who was sanctioned by the UK government amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is understood to have failed to provide legal guarantees that the money will be distributed to charitable causes, as promised when he put the club on the market.

It was hoped that the sale could go through before the end of the season, however, talkSPORT has been told government chiefs are 'gravely concerned' Abramovich's stalling will prevent the takeover going through before Chelsea's temporary licence to continue operating expires on May 31.

Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale before he was officially sanctioned due to his alleged links with Russian president Vladimir Putin and promised to write off £1.6bn in loans he made to the West London club.

When asked for comment by talkSPORT Chelsea opted to decline.

Breaking news. More follows.