RedBird Capital Partners, the private equity firm that owns 11 per cent of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, are not seeking to takeover Chelsea.
New York-based RedBird, who own French second division side Toulouse, were linked as potential buyers for Chelsea following Roman Abramovich's decision to sell the club he had owned since 2003 due to the threat of sanctions looming over him due to the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia and his historic links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
US billionaire Todd Boehly and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss have both been linked, with Abramovich seeking £3bn for Chelsea, with a number of potential suitors circling.
But RedBird sources have told the ECHO they are categorically not one of those looking to buy Chelsea.
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RedBird, who are led by founder and managing partner Gerry Cardinale, own 11 per cent of FSG following the deal that was struck in March of last year for $750m.
That deal gives them part ownership of all of FSG's businesses, including Liverpool, the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Penguins. They would not be allowed to take ownership of another team without divesting their interests in FSG, something the ECHO has been told they have no interest in doing.
Cardinale has spoken previously of his desire to be in it for the long haul with FSG, and investment into LeBron James' SpringHill Entertainment company with FSG and Nike show that the relationship is strong.
RedBird's stake in FSG stands at around $1bn and the company's growth is set to continue as more sporting properties are set to be acquired over the next 18 months.
Cardinale has previously spoken on the prospect of owning Liverpool in the future, stating that it was not the reason for the investment but not ruling it out.
Speaking at the Financial Times' Business of Sport US Summit in New York in October, when asked whether he saw himself as Liverpool owner in the future, Cardinale said: "We did not underwrite that with that as the goal.
"No (I don't rule it out), I definitely would not exclude it as it would be a privilege but I think that Liverpool is in fantastic hands with the current group.
"We are there to support and play a supporting role where we can but that is a phenomenal team from ownership and management all the way down."
