Chelsea may be starting to see light at the end of the tunnel as a preferred bidder could be named by the end of the week.
The Raine Group, the New York merchant bank who are responsible for managing over £3bn worth of assets worldwide, were appointed to sell the Premier League club on behalf of Roman Abramovich, after his assets were frozen by the British government due to the Ukraine war. And according to New York Times, Raine Group are poised to name its preferred bidder 'as soon as this week.'
Fans who have known Abramovich to own the West London side since 2003 will now see a new group soon takeover their club. It has been reported that Raine Group will choose one of three groups backed by American investors, with each putting forward a multi-billion-dollar offer.
The Blues are currently unable to buy any players or engage in contract talks with their current squad. This is one of the many sanctions in place, which has also seen the club shop close for business. Once the sale is finally finalised, the takeover is set to become the highest amount ever paid for a sports team, suggesting a price tag of $3 billion.
One of the early front-runners in the race is a group led by Todd Boehly, a billionaire investor who owns part of the Los Angeles Dogers. Meanwhile, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainments company owned by Josh Harris and David Blitzer are also well placed in the race. The ownership group that controls NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, added Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and tennis star Serena Williams to their group.
The third finalist is NBA Boston Celtic's co-owner Steve Pagliuca, including Larry Tenenbaum, the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment who also owns NBA's Toronto Raptors, Major League Soccer's Toronto FC and hockey's Toronto Maple Leafs. Each of those groups have met with one of Raine's founders Joe Ravitch in London this week, to make a final pitch.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who would you like to see takeover Chelsea Football Club? Let us know in the comments
A bid from Chicago Clubs' owner the Ricketts family was previously rebuffed. MMA champion Conor McGregor meanwhile, offered £1.5million for Chelsea on social media Twitter before later deleting the post.
Those involved with the club will be hopeful that a decision comes to fruition soon enough. "It would be ideal," the Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said after their 1-0 win over West Ham, before adding: "But you cannot pull grass so it grows faster."
Even if Raine Group come to a decision, it will have to receive the British government's blessing in order for the takeover to go through. Although none of the proceedings would go to Abramovich, he has previously stated that any money would be given to "all victims of the war in Ukraine," but his plans remain vague.
