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Page last updated at 14:17 GMT, Monday, 16 August 2010 15:17 UK

Prospective Blackburn owner eyes quick deal to buy club

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce
Allardyce will be hoping to get funds before the transfer window closes

Prospective Blackburn owner Ahasan Ali Syed says he wants to buy the club as quickly as possible so manager Sam Allardyce can sign new players.

The Indian businessman is checking the club's accounts ahead of a possible takeover of the Ewood Park outfit.

Syed, 36, told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I am very keen to move very fast and buy this club at the earliest moment.

"I am aware that Big Sam has big ambitions for this transfer window and I would love to support his ambitions."

Syed reportedly has £300m to complete the takeover, cover outstanding debts and "provide the necessary capital to buy new players and invest over the longer term so it can once again become a title contender", according to a statement from his Western Gulf Advisory (WGA) investment vehicle last week.

I am not here to make money, this is to fuel my passion

Ahasan Ali Syed

WGA announced on Friday that it had been granted a four-week period of exclusivity in which to discuss a deal, but Syed, a lawyer who studied at the London School of Economics, insisted he does not expect to make money from Blackburn, instead describing his potential purchase as a "passion".

"I have been presented with a lot of clubs, but Blackburn really came to my attention because it suits my investment philosophy," he added.

"If you have seen my investments in the past they are always good assets who are undervalued and who have huge potential for a turnaround situation. I have been doing this for 14 years now and Blackburn fitted the bill.

"I am very excited, happy, I feel privileged, but I would not like to call myself as the owner of Blackburn, but as a fan of Blackburn, and I would love for all the fans to support me.

606: DEBATE

"I would ask the fans to please adopt me as a local. I am not here to make money, I have enough investments outside of the sporting entities to make money, I am taking Blackburn as a passion and I would like them to support me in my passion. This is an investment to fuel my passion."

Syed is yet to meet Rovers boss Allardyce, who led the club to an opening day 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday, but admits he is a big fan of the former Bolton and Newcastle manager.

"I have not met Sam Allardyce, but I've read enough about him to really praise him," said Syed. "He's done a fantastic job with limited resources, and I'm sure with my liquidity and support I think he can do wonders.

"I want to move quickly so that we can do well in the transfer window."



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see also
Blackburn 1-0 Everton
14 Aug 10 |  Premier League
Allardyce plays down cash boost
05 Aug 10 |  Blackburn
Investor confirms Blackburn talks
19 Jun 07 |  Blackburn
Football takeover trends
06 Feb 07 |  Premier League
Williams takes over at Blackburn
28 Jun 05 |  Blackburn


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