£90m takeover anticipated for Sheffield United

An “African billionaire” is reportedly nearing completion of a £90m takeover of Sheffield United FC.

If this goes ahead it would ease financial problems at the Sky Bet Championship side, which includes a default on payments due to Liverpool.

The identity of the potential new owner currently remains a secret.

Sheffield United is pushing for promotion to the Premier League and are currently 12 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough, with a game in hand.

Prince Abdullah, the club’s present Saudi owner, is close to selling the team, but Sheffield FC is facing financial difficulties which have led to a transfer embargo.

The embargo, which stops the team buying a player for the next 18 months unless they win promotion, was imposed by the EFL because the Blades failed to keep up payment instalments on signings.

Last year, Sheffield FC fans believed Henry Mauriss was about to buy the club, only for the deal to fall through because of the American’s failure to meet strict EFL criteria. But the latest bid, lodged by the as yet unidentified African buyer, is understood to be more viable.

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