Who are the bidders hoping to buy Chelsea?

Final bids were due for Chelsea on Thursday in one of the most public sports franchise sales in history.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the contenders.

Sir Martin Broughton

US businessmen Josh Harris and David Blitzer are expected to be included in the funding, which would require the duo to divest their shareholding in Crystal Palace.

The 74-year-old Broughton joined British American Tobacco in 1971, rising to prominence as chairman and chief executive in 1998. The lifelong Chelsea supporter held a short chairmanship of Liverpool in 2010, ushering through the Reds’ sale to current owners the Fenway Sports Group.

World Athletics president and London 2012 Olympics chief Coe’s Government and establishment links strengthen the Broughton bid.

Todd Boehly

The decorated Dodgers’ impressively run set-up has earned widespread plaudits in the elongated campaigning around the Chelsea bidding.

Clearlake Capital investment firm is understood to provide potent financial backing to the Boehly bid. Boehly is the co-founder, chairman and chief executive of Eldridge Industries.

The Ricketts family

Chicago Cubs owners Tom and Laura Ricketts front a bid underpinned by major financial firepower from US multi-billionaires Ken Griffin and Dan Gilbert.

Citadel chief executive Griffin and Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures owner Gilbert, who also owns the Cleveland Cavaliers, boast a combined private net worth estimated to be more than £50billion.

Chelsea supporters have raised concerns and even staged a small protest against the Ricketts’ candidacy over issues including historic tweets from family patriarch Joe Ricketts, who has no role either at the Cubs or in the bid for Chelsea.

Tom and Laura Ricketts have been adamant in their vision for