Ex-Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton has emerged as a contender to buy Chelsea, according to a report.

The Blues will soon be in new hands ahead of Roman Abramovich's departure, although the sale of the club has been put on hold amid sanctions against the Russian oligarch.

British businessman Nick Candy is now regarded as one of the favourites to take over at Stamford Bridge, while New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has also been linked with the role.

Now, the PA News Agency claims that former British Airways chairman Broughton is readying an offer, with the 74-year-old a 'lifelong' fan of the European champions.

Broughton was briefly upstairs with Liverpool in 2010 to oversee the club's sale to Fenway Sports Group, which he did under supervision from the UK Government.

Chelsea have marched to back-to-back wins over Norwich City and Newcastle United in the wake of sanctions against Abramovich and are due to take on Lille in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.