Leeds United could be taken over by a Chinese consortium, it has been claimed, with the man looking to put together the bid viewing the Whites as having "huge potential" for investors.

The Yorkshire giants are currently majority owned by Italian businessman Massimo Cellino and minority owned by Middle Eastern group GFH Capital.
 



Cellino has on occasion flirted with selling the Whites, but is still in control more than two years after buying the club.

Steve Tappin, a Leeds fan who runs consultancy firm Xinfu, has been holding talks in Bejing with potential investors in an effort to take control of the Elland Road outfit and now a bid worth more than £100m could be set to be launched.
 


And Tappin is convinced that Leeds are a club that merits serious consideration from Chinese investors given the potential returns if they can climb up to the Premier League.

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He was quoted as saying by China.org.cn: "I have had a series of meetings with related parties all this week, and there is definite interest in buying Leeds, but I want to ensure it would be with long-term investment, significant working capital and the right governance so it can be a stable platform for sustainable Premier League success.

"Leeds United is a big club with a very strong fan base and huge potential for investors, particularly if it can be returned to the Premiership", Tappin added.

Leeds have been outside the Premier League for over a decade, watching on as other clubs increase their revenues through lucrative TV and sponsorship deals.

Chinese groups have begun to increasingly invest in Championship sides, eyeing large returns in the event of promotion, and Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers now have Chinese owners.