The sale of Notts County has developed a fresh twist after it emerged that a consortium fronted by property developer Alex May are pushing hard for a takeover at Meadow Lane.
According to the Daily Mirror, they are keen to take control at Meadow Lane, where a South African consortium is also bidding to buy the club from owner Alan Hardy.
The South Africans had appeared to be in the driving seat having completed due diligence with the club’s relegation from the Football League failing to deter their pursuit of the Magpies.
But May is being reportedly backed by brothers Raheem and Karim Virani, who own Cygnet Properties and Leisure PLC in London.
Tony Kenworthy, a former Mansfield player, is also said to be part of their bid and is likely to assume a director of football role at the club.
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It is understood that May had tried to buy Chesterfield last year, but was unsuccessful as they dropped out of the Football League.
It is believed that should the consortium be successful, they are looking to build residential apartments near the Meadow Lane site.
The Mirror also claims that Norman Smurthwaite is still interested in acquiring the Magpies but is refusing to meet Hardy’s asking price of £5m.
Smurthwaite is now free to buy another club after offloading Port Vale to Carol and Kevin Shanahan of Synectics Solutions.
Smurthwaite has been to Meadow Lane to watch Notts several times this season, but in an interview with the Stoke Sentinel, said he had no intention of buying the Magpies.
