A Swiss private equity firm is eyeing a bid for Chelsea Football Club in partnership with the same Arab tycoon who fronted the Abu Dhabi United Group’s acquisition of Manchester City last year.

Falcon Equity, a Switzerland and Jersey-based private equity firm, has teamed with Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim and has begun preparatory work on a bid for the club. Dr Al-Fahim brokered the takeover of Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour-led vehicle Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment last September. He is the chairman of Falcon, according to Press Association, although there is no mention of him on the firm's website.