Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea, is weighing the bids made by the four groups seeking to purchase the club from him.
On Thursday, all four parties submitted improved offers.
Early next week, Abramovich, Chelsea’s board of directors, and Raine Group, the American bank overseeing the sale, are likely to offer a preferred bidder to the UK government for clearance.
Raine’s opinion is likely to influence Chelsea’s choice, and the UK Guardian says that the biggest bid will not always be the winning one.
Abramovich wants Chelsea, who could be sold for as much as £2.75bn, to be in good hands.
The bidders include a consortium led by the co-owner of the LA Dodgers, Todd Boehly, and one by Tom and Laura Ricketts, the owners of the Chicago Cubs.
A consortium fronted by Sir Martin Broughton and Sebastian Coe has received support from Josh Harris and David Blitzer, the owners of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.
The fourth bid is led by the Boston Celtics’ co-owner, Steve Pagliuca.
Sources close to the process believe that a preferred bid could emerge after Monday.