American billionaire Woody Johnson will launch a bid for Chelsea.
The Sun says Johnson, US Ambassador to the UK until last year, will offer £2billion to buy the West London club from sanctioned owner Roman Abramovich.
Johnson, 74, hopes to steal the deal away from Saudi Media Group before Friday's deadline.
His £2billion bid is less than the Saudi Media Group's £2.7billion — but he believes he can win because of his extensive London links.
As the former US ambassador to the UK, and co-owner of gridiron team the New York Jets for 22 years, he believes he can raise Chelsea's profile in the American market.
A football source said last night: “What Chelsea need right now is longevity and stability when it comes to a new owner. Woody and his team think they can provide that.
“He's run the Jets successfully and knows a huge amount about the sports industry. And he's spent the last four years in London and knows it well."
The 74-year-old, full name Robert Wood Johnson and heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical dynasty, is bidding from his family's fortune believed to be £28billion.
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