The Bolton Wanderers chairman, Phil Gartside, has played down talk of an imminent takeover after a Thai consortium claimed to be in discussions over a £40m deal.
BEC-Tero, an entertainment conglomerate which runs television and radio stations in South-east Asia, and local sports media giant Siam Sport Syndicate have joined together for the bid, the Nation newspaper reported.
The BEC director Bryan Marcar said the club, owned by Eddie Davies through the holding company Burnden Leisure, remained an attractive prospect despite its debts and position in the Championship.
“I must admit I have a close relationship with the club’s president,” said Marcar. “The club has plenty of property, and most importantly, they have their own stadium, hotel and football academy.
“In terms of their financial status, they made profits between 2004 and 2006, but suffered losses since then, with their debt now standing at £150m. However, the club is willing to address this situation. They’re quite ready in almost every aspect. That will help us benefit in many ways, especially when it comes to Thai players playing in England.”
However, Gartside told the Bolton News: “We have spoken to several parties who have expressed interest in investing in the club but these quotes from Thailand come as a complete surprise to me. Other than what has appeared this morning it is business as usual here.”
Should a deal happen, the consortium would become the third Thai owners of an English club after Leicester City and Reading. The firm, which Marcar owns jointly with the broadcaster BEC World Pcl, also owns the former Thai Premier League champions BEC Tero Sasana.
