Report: Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben considering Chelsea takeover

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Jamie Reuben is being linked with a move to buy Chelsea, despite his 10% stake in Newcastle United.

The 34-year-old was involved in the Saudi-backed takeover of the Magpies six months ago, making up one tenth of the consortium alongside PCP and PIF.

RB Sports and Media own 10% of the club, and are represented by Jamie Reuben, who is now a Newcastle director.

But a report from Bloomberg puts his Toon future in doubt.

Roman Abramovich has put Chelsea up for sale following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And one of Newcastle’s co-owners is reportedly considering a bid to buy the Blues.

Jamie Reuben to Chelsea rumour begs a lot of questions

The report states that Jamie Reuben is ‘exploring’ a bid to buy Chelsea from Abramovich. They add that he is ‘considering bidding on a personal basis, although he may use some of his family’s wealth’.

Jamie’s father David and uncle Simon are collectively known as the Reuben brothers, and have a reported net worth of $7billion each.

If Reuben does make a move for Chelsea, surely his time at Newcastle is up. There’s no way he can own Chelsea and have a stake in Newcastle as well. Premier League rules would not allow it.

He was previously a director at QPR, but stepped down in 2020 when it looked like PIF’s takeover of Newcastle was going to happen.

Reuben is a fan of Chelsea, which might be the reason he is tempted to buy them.

But if the money is there to buy Chelsea in its entirety, why did a solo bid for Newcastle never happen? The Saudi-backed takeover dragged on for a long time, and that was down to the involvement of PIF and their links to the Saudi state.

If Reuben thinks he can afford Chelsea then he could’ve afforded Newcastle as well. The Magpies were sold for £305million, while Abramovich reportedly wants £4billion for Chelsea.

It seems highly unlikely that Reuben will buy Chelsea. The report adds that he may not even make a formal bid.

But if he does make an approach, surely he can’t continue at St James’ Park. His family would then have to sell their stake in the club.