Todd Boehly ‘close to Chelsea takeover with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s late rival bid NOT under consideration’

were told they had been granted a “period of exclusivity” to discuss the final terms and conditions of a takeover package.

However Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is reportedly “attempting to renege on his promise to write off a £1.6 billion debt”.

This is despite the 55-year-old previously stating that he would NOT be asking for any loans to be repaid when he put the club up for sale.

That cast doubts over whether any future deal between Boehly and the West London outfit would go through.

And, in a worst case scenario, Chelsea could even LOSE their Premier League status.

However, has offered a fresh update on Twitter - and it looks to be good news for the Stamford Bridge faithful.

He wrote: “Boehly-Clearlake takeover of Chelsea is now very close to completion. Raine sources tell me Wednesday talks were ‘highly productive and no alternative options are being explored’.

“Sources within Boehly-Clearlake say they’ve remained ‘calm’ and are confident they will own #CFC.”

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On Abramovich, he continued: “The handling of Abramovich’s 1.6bn in loans has provided some late drama. Boehly-Clearlake bid initially presumed a debt-free purchase.

“If funds covering debt are frozen by the government then 1.6bn will remain in limbo for now. That will be enough to complete a sale by May 31.

“This plan doesn’t fully resolve the debt (the original hope). But it does suspend it and allow a sale to go through.

“It will be interesting to see what happens if/when sanctions against Abramovich are lifted.”

And he concluded: “Boehly-Clearlake, like Broughton, were never prepared to engage (or pay) Camberley.

“The main reason is because they couldn’t do any due diligence and be sure who the money would go to.”

Meanwhile, wannabe owner Ratcliffe has told the Raine Group not to brush off his offer to buy the club.

Raine are handling the sale of the Blues, and Ratcliffe wants the group to factor in that his company is British and want the best for the club.

He said, reported by the BBC: “My message to Raine is don't discount our offer.

“We are British and have great intentions for Chelsea. If I was Raine I wouldn't close any door.”