Two consortiums 'confirmed for Chelsea shortlist'

Two consortiums have reportedly confirmed that they have progressed through to the next stage of the race to buy Chelsea.

With a deadline for offers having been set for last Friday, Raine Group had been expected to confirm the final proposals during the middle of this week.

However, while developments have taken longer to materialise than many had expected and hoped, it appears that the US merchant bank is now in the process of making concrete decisions.

According to BBC Sport, consortiums involving Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and former Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton remain in the running.

The report adds that the Ricketts Family are still waiting to discover their fate, although it would come as a surprise if the owners of the Chicago Cubs did not stay as rivals to the other two parties.

On Thursday, it was claimed that Saudi Media Group was among a number of parties who had been informed that they would not be advancing through to the next stage.