Blackburn takeover talks continue

PREMIER League football club Blackburn Rovers says it has had a “cordial and productive” meeting with takeover suitor Western Gulf Advisory.

The Lancashire club, which has granted Bahrain-based WGA a four week period of exclusivity to carry out due diligence and set out its investment plans to the board, said in a brief statement that the process is “ongoing”.

The Western Gulf Advisory delegation arrived in Blackburn yesterday to meet with club officials and set out the terms of a £300m investment.

The company is owned by Indian tycoon Ahsan Ali Syed, who has publicly pledged to make £100m available for player transfers.

Mr Ali Syed, 36, the heir to a £5bn fortune, plans to fund the deal himself. He is quoted as saying he has a passion for the club and is not looking to make money from his investment.

Blackburn Rovers has been looking for a new backer for several years and is being advised by investment bank Rothschild.