Leeds United takeover ‘still alive’, insists club

In a statement, United said they were “happy to continue discussions” with a consortium from the Middle East who plan to take control of Leeds - but confirmed that they were ready to consider other offers of investment.

Leeds have been in talks with the Middle Eastern group for more than two months and granted the consortium an “exclusivity period” at the end of June, allowing them to perform due diligence on the accounts at Elland Road.

But the proposed takeover was thrown into doubt earlier today when the Leeds United Supporters Trust (LUST) claimed the deal had fallen through.

The statement read: “Leeds United announces that the exclusivity period granted to a potential investor as mentioned in the statement of 26 June has ended.

“The club remain happy to continue discussions, but not on an exclusive basis, so as not to prevent other options passing.

“The first priority must be to ensure that the credibility of any future investor or ultimate owner is such, that the Leeds legacy and its future is in safe hands, back in the Premiership.

“The club will continue to be receptive to approaches from potential new partners who can establish that they have the necessary credentials.

“Meanwhile, it is encouraging that there is a new spirit at the club under the management of Neil Warnock and his ten new signings. The club will making no further comment at this stage.”

Last month Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa – the man who led a failed takeover of Leeds United in 2003 – was named as a key figure in the Middle Eastern consortium behind the takeover.

Reports in the Bahrain media claimed a group of investors, headed by lifelong United supporter Al-Khalifa, were close to completing a deal for Leeds.

But talks appeared to have stalled, and this morning manager Neil Warnock revealed that that further new signings were now dependent on the finance raised from players leaving Elland Road.

Al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s ruling dynasty, was part of a consortium including representatives from Saudi Arabia and Asia who failed to push through a takeover deal just under a decade ago, but it seems he has maintained a strong interest in United’s affairs.

In 2003 he told reporters: “I fell in love with the club when I was 11-years-old when Leeds played Chelsea in the 1970 FA Cup Final.

“Leeds mean everything to me, I was born to support them. Those who are closest to me, my friends and my family, know what Leeds United mean to me.”

The protracted takeover saga has been rumbling on for more than two months with a trail leading from North America to the Gulf.

Leeds reached an exclusivity agreement with an unnamed investor in early July, with the period enabling the interested party – who satisfied the requirements of the Football League’s Owners and Directors test – to carry out due diligence at the club.

• Keep abreast of news from your club, plus complete live match data and stats, with our new FREE apps. Versions for iPhone and Android.