A former Barcelona and AC Milan striker is said to be in the running for an unlikely takeover of Birmingham City.
Maxi Lopez, an Argentine forward who spent the vast majority of his playing career in Italy, is part of a consortium looking to purchase the Championship club. Earlier this week former Watford owner Laurence Bassini said that he expected his proposed takeover to go through within the next week.
The controversial London-based businessman claims the takeover will cost £35million - just £10m of which he says will be his own money. It has now emerged that the consortium, including Lopez, businessman Christian Codoma and Blues fan Paul Richardson, are looking to rival that bid.
Centre-forward Lopez has only recently retired at the age of 38 after completing the season in Italy’s Serie C with Sambenedettese.
Lopez visited St Andrew’s in May to watch Birmingham's final day defeat to Blackburn Rovers. Lopez and Richardson - the owner of clothing brand Hera having played a part in Gymshark’s rise - haven’t pulled out of the race despite Bassini's bid appearing to lead the way.
Giving his latest update on Wednesday, Richardson said: “Maxi Lopez and I have the money and have put in an official bid of our own.”
It adds a fresh twist to the takeover chase, with Blues' fans desperate for fresh ownership after years of malaise. The club have hardly seen anything spent in transfer fees, whilst the last six seasons have seen the side finish no higher than 17th. Supporters have often vented their anger at the owners with protests taking place at regular junctures last season.
Uncertainty remains over the future of manager Lee Bowyer too, with former QPR chief Mark Warburton being lined up to replace him in the St Andrew's dugout - if Bassini's bid is successful.
Bassini, who has been declared bankrupt twice in the past, was owner of Watford for a 13-month period from 2011 to 2012. He completed a takeover in May 2011 before selling up just over a year later.
But in March 2013 an independent disciplinary commission found Bassini guilty of misconduct and dishonesty over financial dealings on behalf of the Hertfordshire club. He was subsequently banned from being involved in the Football League for three years.
Speaking to talkSPORT earlier this week, the 52-year-old said: "It’s quite true that I did serve a three-year ban, where I was accused of dishonesty and lying. There will be a press conference where I will be producing all the things that went on in the past at Watford and Bolton that will show all the skulduggery."
Speaking last month about the distracting effect of takeover talk, Bowyer said: "I have been told there are talks behind the scenes but I was at Charlton and I think there were five takeovers at one time. One minute there was a takeover then it fell through, then there was another group then it fell through, you never know until it is signed, sealed and delivered.
"Hopefully if there is something happening then it happens quickly so everybody knows where they stand and we can move forward as a club."
