The Championship's crisis-club Bolton Wanderers are not set for a takeover by a Turkish consortium, but are in advanced talks with an interested party according to a statement from chairman Ken Anderson.
The Trotters have been beset by problems all season, with threats of administration and the collapse of transfer deals. There's former players claiming they are owed money and on the field, they look set for a relegation battle with a very bad ending.
This morning, Ken Anderson has released a statement via the club's official website rubbishing claims from various quarters of takeover bids.
"As far as l am aware, the comments about a Turkish buyer are pure fiction and to the best of my knowledge are yet more speculation that seems to have been generated by the media," said Anderson.
"There have also been various other postings about a North West consortium backed by Russian money. Again, this is pure fiction."
Anderson goes on to say that there is a consortium with whom talks are taking place and that they've moved to an advanced stage, but thanks to Non Disclosure Agreements, no further details are available.
"The facts are that there is a consortium with which heads of terms were agreed and discussions are ongoing. There has, over the last week or so, been further interest from several other consortiums who have all signed NDAs and discussions are also ongoing with them."
Bolton are currently 23rd in the Championship, three points from safety with a far inferior goal difference. They've won two league games since the end of September and face a tricky trip to Leeds United this weekend.
The Verdict
The circus rumbles on, Ken Anderson has presided as ringmaster over a sideshow of a season, with Bolton in real danger of complete collapse.
If the Christian Doidge deal wasn't bad enough, they've become something of a laughing stock through their troubles. It's a sad state for such a proud and historic club to be in and the sooner these talks progress to a point where Anderson walks, the better for everyone concerned.