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LEEDS END SAINSBURY TAKE-OVER LINK

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English soccer club Leeds United are reported to have snubbed a new £25m offer for the club from Sebastian Sainsbury.

The Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner said: "The club are not in discussion with Mr Sainsbury. Yet again there was no proof of funds provided.

"We can only assume Mr Sainsbury is simply intent on damaging a deal with another consortium we are in advanced discussions with."

Sainsbury's initial takeover bid fell through earlier this month because he failed to meet a series of deadlines.

Krasner insisted negotiations with a local consortium of Leeds fans was a more a likely takeover alternative.

The Leeds chairman said: "The negotiations with the local consortium of United fans are progressing well.

"The board hope it will come to fruition in the next seven to 10 days, at which time a further statement will be made."

Sainsbury was understood to have ditched his original backers, Nova Financial Partners, and attracted European investment in order to fund the deal.

Sainsbury said: "The proof of funding will be supplied in a manner I know will totally satisfy the board of LUFC, and this will follow imminently."

Leeds were forced to sell their Elland Road ground on a sale-and-lease-back agreement to raise funds after Sainsbury's original offer fell through