New target for Roman empire

Roman Abramovich is preparing to expand his global football empire by investing in Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv.

The Chelsea owner was shown around the club's training ground by president Motti Orenstein on Tuesday and is considering his options.

Hapoel have debts of £10million and owner Moshe Teomim is actively looking for fresh investors. UEFA rules prevent one individual or company owning 51 per cent of two clubs involved in the same competition, but Abramovich could contribute a smaller sum or invest through a third party.

Abramovich is a frequent visitor to Israel, often staying with agent Pini Zahavi or fellow Russian oligarch Leg Leibaiz. Since his £150m takeover at Stamford Bridge two years ago Abramovich has built a powerful network of alliances throughout the world of football and is keen to establish several nursery clubs to Chelsea.

Abramovich's oil company Sibneft sponsor CSKA Moscow in a deal worth around £10m-a-year and the Russian has also developed strong links with PSV Eindhoven, Deportivo La Coruna and Brazilian club Corinthians.

UEFA investigated the ownership of CSKA Moscow when Chelsea were drawn against them in this year's Champions League, but ruled that Abramovich did not have a controlling interest in the Russian club.

Any move to invest in Hapoel Tel Aviv would also be of huge concern to FIFA, who have expressed dismay at Abramovich's growing influence. A FIFA source said: "It's not our job to tell clubs how they should be run but we are concerned. Abramovich may not be with us for ever."