Ratcliffe Chelsea bid receiving consideration but Boehly remains in box seat

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, pictured, has previously been linked to the Blues (Martin Rickett/PA)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s last-minute bid for Chelsea has received serious consideration in the race to buy the Stamford Bridge club, the PA news agency understands.

Todd Boehly’s consortium is understood to remain on course to be confirmed as the preferred bidder and then handed the opportunity to seal a Stamford Bridge takeover.