Chelsea takeover: Boehly consortium lead the race to buy the Premier League club, rivals claim

Todd Boehly’s consortium are leading the race to buy Chelsea with rival bidders claiming the Swiss-American group are ‘in front’ as lengthy takeover process draws to a conclusion

  • The group led by US tycoon Todd Boehly are leading the race to buy Chelsea
  • Sources close to one of the rival parties have told Sportsmail that they believe Boehly’s bid is in front, heading into the final days of the process
  • Groups led by Sir Martin Broughton and Steve Pagliuca are not giving up hope
  • Boehly is understood to be the bidder with the most accessible available cash 

The group led by US tycoon Todd Boehly are leading the race to buy Chelsea, according to rivals.

As the bidding process draws to a conclusion, the three groups vying to take over at Stamford Bridge expect to discover in the next few days whether they have been successful in their attempts to be named as the preferred bidder by Chelsea and Raine — the merchant bank tasked with selling the club.

Boehly, who leads the consortium that also includes Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss, was among the first to throw his hat into the ring after Chelsea were put up for sale by Roman Abramovich.

The consortium led by US tycoon Todd Boehly (pictured) are leading the race to buy Chelsea 

Boehly was among the first to throw his hat into the ring after Chelsea were put up for sale

Boehly was among the first to throw his hat into the ring after Chelsea were put up for sale 

And sources close to one of the rival parties — who include the consortium headed by British businessman Sir Martin Broughton and the group led by Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca — have told Sportsmail that they believe Boehly’s bid is in front, heading into the final days of the process.

The groups led by Broughton and Pagliuca are not giving up hope, but there is a belief that Boehly’s bid is the one to beat.

Boehly is understood to be the bidder with the most accessible available cash, which strengthens his group’s offer.

Roman Abramovich is demanding an additional £500million for the Premier League club

Roman Abramovich is demanding an additional £500million for the Premier League club 

And it emerged on Thursday that Abramovich is demanding an additional £500million for the club.

It was claimed that the Russian has asked for the extra sum to boost what will be a charitable donation from the sale that could reach £1billion.

The total deal for Chelsea could reach close to £3bn but Abramovich will not receive a penny from the sale after being sanctioned by the Government.