Leeds surprised to hear of Australian billionaire's takeover link

CHIEF executive Shaun Harvey has revealed Leeds United have not had any contact with Australian-based billionaire Frank Lowy despite speculation Down Under that he is planning a takeover of the club.

The 79-year-old is reported to be interested in buying the Elland Road club with sources suggesting he commissioned a review into United's financial state and future potential last January.

Football Federation Australia chairman Lowy, whose personal fortune is estimated at more than 2bn, has, it is said, been mulling over the findings for several weeks.

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The report is believed to have stated that Leeds, despite being in League One, remain an attractive proposition due to the club's huge supporter base.

News of Lowy's interest in United has, however, come as a surprise to the powers-that-be at Elland Road.

Harvey last night said: "We have not heard of any interest from Mr Lowy."

Officials from the Football Federation Australia have also expressed their surprise at the links between their chairman and the West Yorkshire club.

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A spokesman saidd: "We have no knowledge whatsoever of any interest by Mr Lowy in Leeds United."

Leeds boast several Australian links with the current squad including Patrick Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny. Other Australians to have played for the club include Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Paul Okon, Tony Dorigo and Jacob Burns.

Whether Lowy, who is also heavily involved with Australia's bid to stage the World Cup finals in either 2018 or 2022, follows up his alleged initial interest by contacting Leeds remains to be seen.

But the news has certainly excited supporters frustrated at the slump in results during the lead-up to Easter that has left United facing the possibility of a fourth season in the third tier.

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Internet message boards were busy yesterday as fans debated the latest twist for a club which, since January, 2005, has been owned by Ken Bates.

The former Chelsea chairman has overseen a turbulent time in the club's history with a stint in administration three summers ago being the nadir.

Since then, United have posted two consecutive profits – 4.5m in 2007-08 and 15,000 in the last financial year. The latter figure was, however, only achieved thanks to player sales with the club making an operating loss of 1.6m for the 12 months to June 30, 2009 before transfers were taken into account.

Lowy is one of Australia's richest men after co-founding the Westfield Group, the retail giant that owns dozens of shopping centres across the world, including several in England.