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.
READ MORE: Roman Abramovich statement issued by Vladimir Putin adviser as Chelsea takeover talks continue
It read: "My family and I are very grateful to all of the fans and supporters' groups who took time to meet with us this week and share their passion and concerns for Chelsea Football Club. It's clear you have nothing but the best interests of the club at heart.
“We have listened to all of your feedback - including from the Chelsea Supporters' Trust - and are grateful that the door is still open for us to demonstrate our commitment to working with fans to protect the club's heritage. It is now up to us to redouble our efforts and clearly lay out a vision for our stewardship of the club with diversity and inclusion at its heart."
Whilst the Ricketts family have been informed that their bid has been successful, one party that appears to have fallen by the wayside is the Saudi Media Group. Having expressed their interest in a deal, they have not been allowed to progress to the next stage but it is suggested that they could join forces with another consortium.
Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on March 2, with sanctions imposed on him by the UK Government eight days later in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It has been suggested that a £3bn price-tag has been put on the club and that a deal could be completed as soon as April.
