'˜Second bidder with money' wants to buy Leeds United says MP

AN MP has joined the speculation over the ownership of Leeds United, claming that a 'second person with money' is keen to buy the club.
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Leeds-born Labour MP John Mann tweeted the news on Wednesday, adding that the price was a stumbling block.

Mr Mann, the MP for Bassetlaw, did not name either the first or the second potential buyer. He also said current owner Massimo Cellino had overpaid for the club.

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He is not the first to speculate on Twitter about the ownership of the club. Last year, Hollywood star Russell Crowe was linked with a takeover from Cellino, who is the subject of a “time to go” campaign by some fans.

Last weekend, the group staged a new protest before Saturday’s match with Bolton Wanderers by carrying a symbolic coffin around the outside of Elland Road stadium. The ‘Time To Go Massimo’ group came together following two years of ownership that they describe as ‘woeful’.

Cellino himself has given mixed messages since the crowd at Elland Road turned on him during Leeds United’s 2-0 defeat to Blackburn in October. He started and then rapidly halted discussions about a sale of the club to supporters group Leeds Fans United (LFU).

It is no secret that Steve Parkin, the businessman with a long-standing interest in buying Leeds, has been speaking to Cellino about possible investment and was pictured alongside him at several of United’s games. But in November, Cellino stated that he would not consider selling his shares until Leeds were safe from relegation. Earlier this month, he changed tack again by telling Sky he would “invest in the summer” – an apparent promise of new players after Leeds’ sorry 4-0 defeat at Brighton.