Chelsea director 'makes £650m takeover decision' amid interest from The Glazers

director Jonathan Goldstein has, reportedly, declared his firm interest in purchasing shares in the English cricket league The Hundred.

Eight teams in The Hundred have been valued at more than £650million all-told - following the first round of their sale process. The first round of bidding, which closed on Friday, is thought to have seen more than 100 bids placed for the eight teams.

Indian billionaires and Manchester United co-owners, the Glazers, also declared their interest, as per reports from . Sources at the England and Wales Cricket Board, who are leading the sale with the help of advisers Deloitte and the Raine Group have been 'delighted' at the level of demand.

Goldstein, India's richest family, the Ambanis, and the Glazers are said to be among potential investors. However, the largest known offer is reported to have come from Sanjiv Goenka, the Indian billionaire and entrepreneur who also owns IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants.

Goenka, who is behind the RPSG Group, valued London Spirit - who are based at the iconic Lords - at an eye-watering £140million. It's thought that the offer placed by Goenka is 'a good deal more' than that placed by the Ambanis, who own Mumbai Indians. In addition, insiders claim there have been 'multiple bids' in the £140m range however, and not only for London Spirit.

Goldstein, meanwhile, registered interest with the Raine Group as part of a potential offer which is independent from Chelsea. At this stage, it's unclear which franchise the Chelsea director wants to invest in, but is believed to be 'working with partners on a proposal' to get involved in the competition.

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The Telegraph report adds that he has asked for 'more information on the condition to go to the second round ahead of a potential bid'. The business partner of Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, Goldstein was part of Boehly's successful bid to buy Chelsea - while the takeover was overseen by Raine Group.

It's unclear whether is part of Goldstein's offer for the Hundred. The Glazers, meanwhile, are understood to have 'come forward in recent weeks' and are on good terms with Raine, who sold a large stake in United to Ineos last year. Furthermore, for 49 per cent stakes, a figure north of £500m is said to be possible and much more if larger stakes are available.