The shortlist of potential owners who could take Chelsea over has been whittled down.
US brokers Raine were appointed to manage the sale and set a deadline of last Friday for any interested parties to come forward. After that deadline has passed they are now going through the bids before announcing a preferred option, with some of the consortiums now thought to be completely out of the running.
It comes as Chelsea's rivals think the takeover could set them back by two years. And US tycoon Todd Boehly has been told he will have to reassure fans about his finances ahead of a potential takeover.
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Boehly told to reassure fans
Fears have been raised over whether Todd Boehly would be able to bankroll Chelsea's push to remain among Europe’s top clubs.
Boehly is part of a consortium hoping to purchase the Stamford Bridge outfit alongside Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and Jonathan Goldstein. And the US Tycoon has now been told he must offer reassurances to Blues fans ahead of a potential takeover with fears the group could use a similar model to Manchester United's owners and use a leveraged buyout of the club.
Bidders whittled down
The number of bidders hoping to become the next Chelsea owner has been whittled down by US brokers Raine.
As part of the latest developments, Saudi Media Group are thought to be out of the running as they reportedly could not ensure their purchase would go through as soon as possible. And another offer from the Ricketts family could soon meet the same fate as the sale of the club inches ever closer.
Recovery could take to years
Chelsea's Premier League rivals think the club could need two years following their takeover before they are once again one of the major forces in Europe.
The sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich by the UK government have plunged the Stamford Bridge outfit into a state of crisis with US brokers Raine now overseeing the club's sale. There is said to be a feeling that whoever comes in next will need time to adapt while budgets, transfer targets and spending may have to reel back in.
And there are still question marks over how the club will deal with the £1.5billion debt owed to Abramovich once his departure is confirmed.
