Consortiums fronted by Todd Boehly and the Ricketts family both reportedly believed they held an advantage in the race to takeover Chelsea before today.
According to the Evening Standard, the American-led parties felt they had a ‘potential edge’ over their opponents because of their cash-only bids to buy the Blues.
This would prevent any debts from being placed on the club, something that may play a big part in deciding who should replace Roman Abramovich.
However, the playing field has since been levelled, after the Times and the Independent reported earlier on Thursday that both Sir Martin Broughton and Stephen Pagliuca had too pledged to a cash-only proposal.
Updates on Broughton and Pagliuca arrive just hours before the final deadline for offers.
All four of the shortlisted candidates have been drumming up additional support, as they look to throw everything in Chelsea’s direction.
A rundown of the potential new Chelsea owners
Boehly has gained decent backing from virtually the beginning of the process and is seen by many as the front runner to succeeding Abramovich.
He and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss partnered up pretty much immediately after the sale of Stamford Bridge came into the picture.
Whilst unpopular amongst some Blues fans, the Ricketts have extreme wealth on their side in the form of hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin and the Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
Updates on Broughton and Pagliuca arrive just hours before the final deadline for offers.
All four of the shortlisted candidates have been drumming up additional support, as they look to throw everything in Chelsea’s direction.
A rundown of the potential new Chelsea owners
Boehly has gained decent backing from virtually the beginning of the process and is seen by many as the front runner to succeeding Abramovich.
He and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss partnered up pretty much immediately after the sale of Stamford Bridge came into the picture.
Whilst unpopular amongst some Blues fans, the Ricketts have extreme wealth on their side in the form of hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin and the Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
Broughton’s team includes Josh Harris and David Blitzer, co-owners of Crystal Palace and the Philadelphia 76ers, plus Chelsea supporter Lord Coe.
Pagliuca entered the race pretty late but has managed to keep chase with the pack extremely well.
In his corner is the co-founder of Facebook Eduardo Saverin and Jim Breyer, a venture capitalist.
The NBA chair Larry Tanenbaum, former Disney CEO Bob Iger and co-owner of the Golden State Warriors Peter Guber are also on board.
The identity of the new owner could be announced as early as next week.
