[Mighty T.A.L.]

Bates claims investor interest

Ken Bates has claimed that a host of investors are ready to step up their interest in Leeds United if his deal to repurchase the club is given the green light by creditors.

Bates immediately launched a new bid to buy back the club when Leeds were plunged into administration before the final game of the season, but the deal must still be ratified when a Compulsory Voluntary Agreement is voted on on Friday.

Leeds-based property magnate Simon Morris has made a rival bid however, with son of former manager Don Revie, Duncan Revie, also pondering a possible offer.

The possibility remains that Bates' bid will not be favoured, and the club chairman has now warned that potentially lucrative investment will dissipate if such a scenario occurs.

"We have six serious would-be investors or investor groups whom you have never read or heard about," Bates told the Yorkshire Post.

"They want to come in once Friday is out of the way. What will be disastrous is if these people who I call spoilers, manage to do so.

"One (of the would-be investors) is a huge American group who have just completed a huge takeover successfully. I will not discuss their identity, but it is all very encouraging.

"Serious investors don't talk to newspapers. They don't go through the newspapers.

"I won't mention names, but when you read 'I am going to do this and that' you can usually take it for granted that they are enjoying their two-bob's worth of glory and then they will fade away.

"When a deal is done, it will be announced."

Source: Skysports