Chelsea sale could ‘go down to the wire’ in bid to complete deal on Tuesday

Government sources believe the bid to push Chelsea’s sale through on Tuesday night could “go down to the wire”.

Downing Street officials are understood to be hopeful of imminently issuing the new licence for Todd Boehly to complete his £4.25billion Chelsea takeover.

Those involved in the sale at Whitehall want to sign it off before end of play on Tuesday, to ensure the club can meet all deadlines for registration for next season’s competitions.

The Premier League confirmed Boehly and his consortium partners have passed the organisation’s owners’ and directors’ tests and that just leaves Government ratification as the final takeover step.

“We now believe everyone will be ready to issue the necessary licences,” said a Government source.

“The last remaining hurdle boils down to a number of final technical details that are being discussed with the club. It’s going to go down to the wire.”

Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly has already agreed the record sports franchise purchase of the Blues, with Abramovich’s ownership tenure poised to end after 19 years.

Boehly will become Chelsea’s controlling owner once the takeover is complete, though California investment firm Clearlake Capital will assume the majority shareholding.

Completion of the takeover will bring to an end a 12-week saga that was sparked by Abramovich officially putting the Blues up for sale on March 2.

We now believe everyone will be ready to issue the necessary licences- UK Government source

Chelsea’s players and staff found out the club was being sold at Kenilworth Road, amid final preparations for their FA Cup fifth-round clash at Luton Town.

The Blues prevailed 3-2 despite the obvious distractions, as Abramovich released a statement pledging to write