A British broadcaster is also involved in the discussions and potentially leading the bidding, the report said, citing City sources.

BT, Britain’s biggest broadband and mobile operator, moved into sports broadcasting in 2012 when it won the rights to show a package of live Premier League football matches.

Its current package, which costs £885 million, allows to show 32 matches for three seasons from 2019-20.

It also has the rights to show Champions League football until 2024 under a three-year £1.2 billion deal.

The Premier League would in normal circumstances have auctioned the next packages of domestic rights by now, but the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the timetable.

The Telegraph reported that the Premier League is seeking government approval to roll over the current deals, which also included Amazon.

BT, under chief executive Philip Jansen, is focused on its plan to roll out fibre broadband to 20 million homes and businesses this decade.

BT Group and Amazon declined to comment.

Disney did not respond immediately to a Reuters request for comment.