A new favourite has emerged in the battle to become Chelsea's new owner after Roman Abramovich put the Blues up for sale.
US brokers Raine were appointed to manage the sale and set a deadline of last Friday for any interested parties to come forward. That deadline has now passed and so they must now go through the bids before selecting a preferred one, and a favorite is starting to emerge for that sought-after position.
It comes as Roman Abramovich is reportedly looking to purchase another football club after sanctions were place on him in the UK. And the government has eased some of the terms of its sanctioning licence on the Blues to allow them to sell some tickets once again.
Here are Mirror Football's latest Chelsea headlines.
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Ticket boost
Chelsea fans will be able to attend the first leg of the Blues' Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge in April after the UK government eased some of the terms of its sanctioning licence.
Sanctions were imposed on the club and owner Roman Abramovich following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, meaning they are unable to sell any tickets or merchandise. That had dampened celebrations as the Blues earned their way through the FA Cup and Champions League, with fans unsure if they would be able to go and support their tea,
But the latest move means supporters will be able to take in the special occasions, although the Blues will be unable to profit from the ticket sales.
Sale takes significant step
A favourite has emerged in the race to become the next Chelsea owner after one of the consortiums bidding for the club became embroiled in a racism row.
The Ricketts family had been seen as one of the leading offers as they have the wealth and also made regenerating Stamford Bridge as a key part of their proposal and can hold up an £800m regeneration of the iconic Chicago Cubs baseball team’s home Wrigley Field as a strong argument. But historical remarks from emails from Joe Ricketts have emerged, saying Muslims "are my enemy", prompting a furious reaction from those associated with Chelsea.
And it may mean that a competing bid has now overtaken the Ricketts family to become the new favourite.
Abramovich eyes new club
Roman Abramovich is reportedly eying a bid for Turkish Super Lig side Goztepe.
The Russian billionaire put the Stamford Bridge club up for sale in early March before he was hit with sanctions by the UK government due to his ties with Vladamir Putin. But reports suggest he is keen to remain within the footballing world and could attempt to buy a new club.
And Abramovich is thought to be in Turkey after his £750million super-yacht Eclipse docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris earlier this week.
