Italian outfit Brescia Calcio have issued a statement on their official website which claims that the club have not been in contact with Massimo Cellino over a potential takeover.

There had been widespread rumours for quite a while linking Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino with the takeover over Italian second tier side Brescia Calcio but the club have moved to quash this speculation with a statement denying that talks had taken place.

This news came as a surprise to some in the Leeds United camp, such as Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Evening Post, who Tweeted:

Massimo Cellino has had a controversial reign at Leeds United but sold half of the club to fellow Italian Andrea Radrizzani earlier this season.

Cellino has often been criticised by Leeds fans for not having patience with his managers and for intervening in the footballing issues too much.

It now appears that Cellino is not on the verge of buying Brescia, contrary to lots of rumours.

Leeds fans - are you surprised by this news? What do you make of it? Let us know in the comments below...