Russian-born billionaire, Roman Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the UK, EU and Canada after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, is reportedly making plans to settle in Istanbul, according to Hurriet.

The report indicates that the 56-year-old tycoon has been spending his days in the European coastal districts of the metropolis and is looking for a waterfront mansion to buy.

“There are some other countries that want to host Abramovich, however, Istanbul fascinated him,” daily Hürriyet’s magazine supplement Kelebek reported on Oct. 26. “The billionaire, a guest in the city for now, has decided to become an Istanbulite.”

With a net worth of $14.5 billion in 2021, Roman Abramovich is the second richest person in Israel, the 11th richest man in Russia and the richest one in Portugal. He holds Russian, Israeli and Portuguese passports and second citizenships and is owner of private investment company Millhouse LLC.

According to Kelebek, Abramovich, who had to leave his ownership stake in European football giant Chelsea FC after being sanctioned, is also looking into buying a Turkish football team.

“British dailies allege that Abramovich is looking for ways to own the Spanish team Valencia, but he is known to be in close contacts with some Turkish teams,” the report said.

Last week, he was photographed on his “morning routine” in Istanbul, which included “having a coffee in a venue in the Rumelihisarı neighborhood and going on a walk in the Bebek neighborhood,” according to Kelebek.

According to Luxury Launches, Abramovich anchored two more superyachts in Turkish waters last month, bringing his total count of super-yachts moored there to four.

The vessels “Garcon” (67 meters long) and “Halo” (55 meters long) joined aborted-Chelsea-transfer “Eclipse” and “Solaris” (Abramovich’s largest yacht at 162.5 meters) off Turkey’s Aegean coast.

The total price tag of all four yachts is estimated at around $1.2 billion.