Raine Group will announce Chelsea’s preferred bidders this week. Suitors could find out as early as today but no later than Thursday lunch. Bruce Buck has had input and there is expected to be a shortlist of four. Told there were less than 10 ‘serious’ bids.
The Rickets family/Ken Griffin remain extremely confident. They are best-positioned to secure a quick sale due to their relationship with Raine and previous due diligence on Chelsea.
Saudi Media Group, as reported, made a strong offer. Least likely group to facilitate a fast sale. No intel yet as to whether they’ve made the shortlist but it’s been reiterated (as you’d expect from SMG) that
#CFC aren’t put off by (as I put it) ‘the optics’ of a KSA sale.
I think the key point, though, is Chelsea (not Raine) have effectively chosen the preferred bidders so whoever makes the shortlist can assume the club are entirely comfortable with them. The level of club input at this stage is atypical. But then so is the whole sale process…