Fresh bidder for Portsmouth

A consortium featuring former Football League chairman Keith Harris has submitted an offer to buy Portsmouth.

Last Updated: 07/02/13 at 18:58 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  League 1. Click here to bet.

Portsmouth: Battle for club due to arrive back in High Court on 14 February

Portsmouth: Battle for club due to arrive back in High Court on 14 February

Administrators PFK confirmed the new development a week before a High Court hearing due to determine whether the League One club can be sold to the Portsmouth Supporters' Trust.

The new consortium, fronted by Harris, investment banker Pascal Najadi and professional investor Alan Hitchins, says it is willing to offer the PST "a stakeholding and participation" if its bid is successful.

And Harris told Sky Sports News the "cash offer" - yet to be presented to the Football League - would leave the club debt-free and include the option to purchase Fratton Park from previous owners Portpin.

He said: "There would be neither legacy debt nor debt in our financing to acquire the club. It does not require a court hearing or anything else - it's straightforward, cash on the nail to buy the club.

"There will be no ongoing involvement by any previous owners. The transaction involves, initially, the leasing of Fratton Park but we've also entered into an agreement to acquire Fratton Park.

"That is our option, and the likelihood is it would be exercised at a very early stage."

The sale of Fratton Park, held as security by Portpin, has long been the major obstacle to the PST's proposed takeover.

Named as preferred bidder last year, the PST has been unable to agree a deal for the stadium and hopes the High Court hearing - three times adjourned already and now set for 14 February - will force Portpin to lower its asking price.

But the new offer has already been deemed "worthy of consideration" by PFK, and partner Trevor Birch said: "This offer could be completed without the need for a court case.

"We will need to discuss the terms of the deal with the PFA and the Football League and also plan to consult the creditors' committee as a matter of urgency. We will provide an update as soon as we have further news."

To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here

Bet with SkyBet  League 1. Click here to bet.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

D

aniel Storey generally did very well, going against the City won it last year so they're bound to win it this time grain. As for John Nicholson, I wouldn't trust him to predict correctly what day of the week it will be tomorrow.

Griff
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

Bastian Schweinsteiger aiming to treat Wembley to footballing perfection

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger aims to treat Wembley to footballing perfection in the Champions League final.

Pardew to remain at the helm

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will remain in charge at St James' Park after holding talks about his future with owner Mike Ashley.

LB: Toffees won't come unstuck

Leighton Baines insists the upheaval of losing manager David Moyes to Manchester United after 11 years in charge will not derail Everton.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved