Boston Celtics co-owner vows to ensure Chelsea remain ‘habitual winners’

• Stephen Pagliuca confirms serious' desire to buy club
• Competing Ricketts family add Cobra beer founder to bid

Stephen Pagliuca, the co-owner of the Boston Celtics basketball team, has confirmed his interest in buying Chelsea, saying his takeover would ensure the club continue to be habitual winners", would never again try to join a European Super League and would remain at Stamford Bridge.

Pagliuca's bid for Chelsea was included last month on a shortlist of possible takeover options for the club by Raine Group, the US bank handling the sale,but little has been heard from the American, who is co-chairman of Bain Capital, a private investment firm. He has now decided to make his intentions clear ahead of submitting a formal bid prior to Thursday's deadline.