Chelsea bidding rivals believe Jim Ratcliffe remains a player in the takeover battle.
The Daily Mail says the two failed Chelsea bidders believe Ratcliffe will become a serious player in the race to buy the club should Todd Boehly's £3.5billion deal collapse, despite Britain's richest man being told he isn't under consideration.
Sources close to the process insist Blues-owner-in-waiting Boehly, through his consortium which includes investment firm Clearlake Capital, still intends to seal a deal despite the uncertainty created by Roman Abramovich's apparent attempts to renege on a promise to write off a £1.6billion debt.
Boehly is in the middle of a five day exclusivity period during which time he is required to sign a purchase agreement, which is expected to be a formality.
But, if for any reason Boehly's takeover does break down, there is a belief among the other two shortlisted consortiums - which are led by UK businessman Sir Martin Broughton and US tycoon Steve Pagliuca - that Ratcliffe's last-gasp £4.25bn offer for Chelsea will be taken seriously and could usurp their own positions as back-up choices.
Ratcliffe's offer last Friday infuriated the existing groups because they had complied with the process set out by Raine - the merchant bank instructed to handle the sale for the Blues - while Ratcliffe's bid was made independently.
But despite being told by Raine his consortium wouldn't be considered, there is a feeling Ratcliffe will become serious rival to Broughton and Pagliuca in the event of the current agreement with Boehly breaking down.
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