Manchester City football club has denied reports that the company is the subject of a £90 million buyout attempt by former player Ray Ranson.
Several news sources reported this morning that a British-based consortium had made the offer yesterday but a club statement to the Stock Exchange denied these stories were accurate.
"Further to the company's announcements on December 7th 2006 and February 21st 2007, the board of Manchester City confirms that it remains in preliminary discussions with third parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company," the statement read.
"There is no additional information to be disclosed by the board at this stage but a further announcement will be made in due course, as appropriate."
Speculation has been rife since manager Stuart Pearce made comments in an interview last week saying that the club could be subject to a takeover at some point but that he was not aware of any details at present.
"In the summer there may be a takeover," he said.
"But I don't know any more information than that at the moment and I'm sure the board will tell me when I need to know.
"I'm here to concentrate on the football side of things. I'll let the money men take care of that."
City chairman John Wardle confirmed the statements made by Pearce, saying he was keen to sell up but did not know when this might go through or who the new buyers would be.
Several investors have already been linked with the club, including several consortiums from the United States and former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – the man who led an attempt to buy a substantial stake in Liverpool in 2004.
This move subsequently failed but he is reportedly still interested in acquiring some vested interest in a Premiership club.
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