STORY: Two of the world's top sports stars have joined a bid to buy Premier League soccer club Chelsea.

That’s according to a source close to the matter Thursday (April 21).

British broadcaster Sky Sports reported U.S. tennis star Serena Williams and seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton have pledged an estimated $13 million each.

Hamilton’s representatives confirmed his involvement but said financial figures quoted in the report were not accurate.

Williams is already an investor in Los Angeles club Angel City FC, a team that plays in the national Women’s Soccer League.

The two would join a consortium led by British businessman Martin Broughton that includes World Athletics President Seb Coe and wealthy investors from around the world.

Private equity veterans Josh Harris and David Blitzer - owners of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team - have also supported Broughton’s bid to buy last season’s Champions League winners.

Final offers for Chelsea were submitted earlier this month, with some reported to be more than $2 billion.

It comes after the English team’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government due to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.

Broughton’s bid is on a shortlist which also includes offers from LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca.