Leeds takeover announcement expected

Debt-laden Leeds United is expected to make an announcement about its financial future later today, a source close to the club…

Debt-laden Leeds United is expected to make an announcement about its financial future later today, a source close to the club said.

The club has been in lengthy talks with a consortium of local businessmen, and any deal would end uncertainty over Leeds' future after it announced in December it needed to find a buyer to avoid going into financial administration.

Leeds has racked up debts of around £80 million sterling and reported a financial loss of almost £50 million in the year to June 2003.

The problems date back to a spending spree on players under former chairman Peter Ridsdale and ex-coach David O'Leary after Leeds progressed to the Champions League semi-finals in 2001.

Forced to cut back on its players' wage bill, the club is facing relegation this season. It is bottom of the standings with 22 points from 28 games.

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