Roman Abramovich is not making a snap decision on selling Chelsea despite being in a rush to offload the club to a prospective buyer.
A number of interested parties have made contact regarding a potential acquisition, with a consortium led by American billionaire Todd Boehly and Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss seemingly the frontrunners after lodging an initial bid.
Abramovich is now said to be mulling over their offer but is holding off committing further to a deal at the current stage as he waits to examine the finer details, despite the looming threat of potential sanctions from the UK government.
The Russian oligarch is keen to ensure whoever takes over control of Chelsea have a worthy plan in place to take the club forward once he hands over after spending almost two decades at the helm.
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Boehly has a background in finance and investing and already has a 20 per cent stake in the LA Dodgers baseball team and also co-owns womens basketball side LA Sparks.
In addition, he has also seen a previous bid for Chelsea of £2.2bn rejected in 2019.
Wyss meanwhile is reported to have a net worth of more than £5bn, having made much of his cash from his company, Synthes, which manufactures medical devices.
However, according to The Guardian, Abramovich is currently unsure about selling to Boehly and Wyss.
It is believed they are not the only consortium yet to submit an offer, and their bid is unlikely to have met Abramovich's £3bn valuation, which Boehly and Wyss feel is overpriced.
Abramovich's hopes of a swift sale have weakened his bargaining position but he has an array of possible bidders vying for his seat.
Among them are property developer and lifelong Chelsea fan Nick Candy, who is said to be working on a deal worth £2.5bn, which reportedly includes plans to invest in the club's stadium.
Candy does not have enough personal capital to launch a takeover bid by himself, but is thought to be leading a consortium and is committed to redeveloping Stamford Bridge - something that could prove a key factor in negotiations.
Executives from other Premier League clubs have also cast an admiring glance at the West London club, including Crystal Palace co-owner Josh Harris, who is said to be weighing up a bid.
Harris would have to sell his stake in the Eagles, however, which could slow up the takeover process longer than Abramovich is happy to oblige with.
Newcastle United director Jamie Reuben has been linked with a bid too, despite him holding a 10 per cent stake in the new project at St James' Park.
His brothers, David and Simon, are reportedly worth £5.3bn each, as per the Chronicle.
Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak also remains in talks after tabling a bid of his own.
As reports ESPN, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is considering a bid, as are RedBird Capital Partners, who already own a stake in Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool.
Abramovich has set a deadline for prospective bidders to submit an offer by March 15 to New York merchant bank Raine Group, who are conducting the sale process.
Though he could yet find himself sanctioned before then.
The 55-year-old denies any involvement with Russia leader Vladimir Putin but there has been increased pressure in the House of Commons by MPs for the government to announce sanctions towards him.
The Mail report those sanctions could come early next week, although Abramovich's name was absent from a list of 14 people set to be sanctioned by the UK government, which was released on Tuesday.
