Skip to main contentAccess keys help

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 December, 2003, 07:39 GMT
Leeds Utd confirm takeover talks
Leeds United stadium
The Elland Road club are having financial difficulties
Leeds United have confirmed they are in talks over an offer for the club.

Leeds confirmed to the London Stock Exchange that they were in talks with a number of interested parties.

But, the club added the discussions were at a very early stage and may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company".

The news comes amid speculation that a group of Middle Eastern investors - led by a member of Bahrain's Royal family - may take over the club in weeks.

According to recent reports, Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, aims to buy up the club for around �20m.

Almost two weeks ago he told Agence France Presse: "It's a group of investors from the Gulf, not just Bahrain, that I am leading and that will take over the English club."

Rescue plans

But, he did add that he expected the deal to go through within a week.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the club's chief executive Trevor Birch said he was confident a buyer will come forward to save the Premiership club.

The revelations came after the Elland Road club warned it was in danger of being forced into administration after it failed to reach agreement on the restructuring of its debts, which amount to around �82m.

Mr Birch and the Leeds board have until 19 January to find a potential saviour.

As well as the sheikh, former deputy Leeds chairman Allan Leighton is believed to be putting together a consortium and resigned from the board last week to avoid a potential conflict of interests.

Leeds, who in the 2000-2001 season reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, are currently are currently, second from bottom of the Premiership.


SEE ALSO:
Strachan stays at Southampton
28 Nov 03  |  Southampton
Leeds face administration D-Day
27 Nov 03  |  Leeds United
Leeds reach administration crisis
26 Nov 03  |  Leeds United


RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia
UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health
Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes
AmericasAfricaEuropeMiddle EastSouth AsiaAsia Pacific