The Ricketts family, who own Major League Baseball team the Chicago Cubs, have confirmed they are leading a group of investors which will make a bid for Chelsea Football Club by Friday’s deadline.
The Ricketts have had a majority interest in the Cubs since 2009.
According to BBC Sport, the group bid also includes U.S hedge fund entrepreneur Ken Griffin.
Roman Abramovich’s attempt to sell the club has been halted after he was sanctioned by the UK government.
That move came in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Abramovich understood to have strong ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The bid is described as “very serious” by one insider, with the family understood to have already done due diligence when they previously enquired about buying the club in 2018.
More than 20 credible parties are interested in buying the Premier League club.