Abramovich to pick Chelsea’s new owners from four final offers

 

Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich is assessing offers made by the four groups trying to buy the club from him.

The four groups all submitted improved bids on Thursday.

Abramovich, Chelsea’s board, and Raine Group, the American bank handling the sale, is expected to present a preferred bidder to the UK government for approval early next week.

Raine’s input is likely to have an influence on the Chelsea hierarchy’s decision and the UK Guardian reports the highest bid will not necessarily be the successful one.

Abramovich wants Chelsea, who could be sold for as much as £2.75bn, to be in good hands.

The bidders include a consortium led by the co-owner of the LA Dodgers, Todd Boehly, and one by Tom and Laura Ricketts, the owners of the Chicago Cubs.

A consortium fronted by Sir Martin Broughton and Sebastian Coe has received support from Josh Harris and David Blitzer, the owners of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.

The fourth bid is led by the Boston Celtics’ co-owner, Steve Pagliuca.

Sources close to the process believe that a preferred bid could emerge after Monday.