The Ricketts family have reportedly been informed that they are preferred bidders for Chelsea as the race to complete a takeover intensifies. Raine Group have already started to inform interested parties on the status of their bids.
The Ricketts family are one of a number of parties potentially interested in doing a deal for the reigning European champions and appear to have progressed to the next stage of negotiations. According to various reports, they have been informed that they have been named as preferred bidders for the club, despite a backlash from supporters at the prospect of a takeover.
It was reported by Sky News earlier in the day that the family had turned to American bank Lazard to act as advisers to any bid. Meanwhile, the family themselves also penned a written statement to supporters detailing their future intentions.
