Chelsea’s buyout candidates are mulling over the reported need to commit £1billion to future investment.

Apart from the club’s £3bn takeover valuation, the Blues are said to want guarantees of huge funding for Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

The four consortiums in the running are thought to be: Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family, former Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton aided by Sir Seb Coe, LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly, and Boston Celtics and Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca.

Meanwhile, the controversial Ricketts family are reportedly willing to pledge the £1bn squad funding Chelsea want as part of a takeover deal.

The Telegraph say the Chicago Cubs owners – whose offer sparked criticism from Blues fans due to historical racism claims – have already come forward to meet the demand.

The mega-rich family are on the four-bid shortlist to buy out Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich despite a #NoToRicketts social media campaign.