The three remaining bidders for Chelsea have begun their final pitches, with the preferred bidder expected to be chosen this week.
Still in the running to replace Roman Abramovich are a consortium led by Sir Martin Broughton, the former Liverpool chairman, and another headed by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly.
The third group includes Steve Pagliuca, who co-owns the Boston Celtics, and Toronto Maple Leafs backer Larry Tanenbaum.
Boehly’s consortium, it is claimed, met the Chelsea board at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, with the other two bidders due to make their final presentations on Wednesday.
Because of sanctions imposed on Abramovich, any deal would have to be agreed by the UK Government.