The takeover of Chelsea has moved a step closer to completion with confirmation expected soon that the consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly has been put forward as the preferred bidder and will enter exclusive talks with the club..
But there are still several steps to be negotiated before a deal that could be worth up to £4bn is completed.
Boehly's group - which will be 50% funded by the investment firm Clearlake Capital and added former chancellor George Osborne as an adviser - is to enter exclusive talks with the club having fought off competition from two other shortlisted groups and a late bid from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain's richest man.