Chelsea news: Blues settle on preferred bidder and Jim Ratcliffe bid ‘creates confusion’

The ongoing ownership saga took a new turn on Friday when, despite a recent bid from Jim Ratcliffe, they settled on their preferred bidder to take control of Stamford Bridge Club

ChelseaHis possible future took another wild turn on Friday when Britain’s richest man made Jim Ratcliffe an offer to buy the club, prompting confusing procedures.

Shortly thereafter, however, it was reported that the Blues had chosen their preferred bidder from the three American-backed bids so submitted to succeed Roman Abramovich. The Russian oligarch is in the process of selling the club after being sanctioned by the UK government.

In the meantime, there is some developing transfer news regarding Thursday night’s man of the match in the 1-1 draw Manchester United, Reece James. The England defender appears to have piqued his interest in the recent Champions League quarter-finals.

Mirror Football brings you the latest Chelsea headlines.

Real Madrid aim for James

Chelsea Defender Reece James appears to have attracted the attention of the Spanish giants real Madrid. When reported by GoalLos Blancos have been happy with what they’ve seen from the Englishman lately Champions League relationships and have already reached out to its representatives ahead of a possible move in 2023.

Madrid’s top priority this summer is to sign the Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe who has entered the final months of his current deal. But they’re also looking further afield, having seen James in action live, and are considering a move for just over 12 months.

James is under contract with the club until 2025 and is expected to be worth around £50 millionafter last committing to a contract extension in 2020. He is said to earn around £60,000 a week, making him one of the lowest paid in the first-team squad alongside Mason Mount, with the pair coming through the club’s youth ranks.

Read the story in full HERE.

Ratcliffe’s offer causes confusion

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of petrochemical giant INEOS, made a last-second bid to buy Chelsea Football Club for up to £4.25 billion on Friday. The 69-year-old, who is Britain’s richest man, said the bid was made on Friday morning after discussions with Raine Group, the New York-based merchant bank overseeing the auction First League Page Chairman Bruce Buck.

“We made an offer this morning,” Ratcliffe told the Times. “We are the only British offer. Our motives are simply trying to start a very good club in London. We have no profit motive because we make our money in other ways.”

However, his offer is believed to have “confused” those involved in the process, with concerns Ratcliffe’s offer would be approved following lengthy talks over the past three weeks.

Read the story in full HERE.

Chelsea names preferred bidder

That doesn’t appear to be the case, however, as the Telegraph reports that Todd Boehly and his consortium have been successful with their £3.5bn bid for the club. While there has been no official confirmation from the Boehly Consortium, Chelsea or the Raine Banking Group overseeing the sale, America is now expected to be confirmed as the Blues’ buyer. The news comes after Stephen Pagliuca and Sir Martin Broughton, two competing bidders, were told they would not move forward in the process.

The consortium, led by Boehly, who, with his participation in the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA DodgersShe was considered a favorite from the start. Business partner Hansjorg Wyss had even made a possible takeover bid public 24 hours before Abramovich had confirmed his intention to sell.

The consortium subsequently added several experienced consultants, including Conservative Party peer Daniel Finklestein and former chancellor George Osborne. Boehly has attended two games at Stamford Bridge in the past month; that Champions League quarterfinal defeat real Madrid and First League Loss to London rivals arsenal.

Read the story in full HERE.