British businessman Bassini is reportedly close to completing a takeover of Birmingham City.
The former Watford owner confirmed in an interview with talkSPORT on Tuesday, that he is hoping to complete the takeover in the coming days.
The club’s current owners, Birmingham Sports Holdings (BSHL), confirmed in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday (14 June), that 21.64% of the club has been sold by the biggest shareholder, Vong Pech.
However, BSHL also said in the statement that it has not entered any agreement to dispose of its approximately 75% stake in the club.
Blues fans have held protests in recent months, to express their frustration with the current owners BSHL.
Supporters have said previously that they have been unhappy with how the club has been run - citing their uncertainty over who owns the club, the state of their St Andrew’s ground - part of which has been closed for more than a year due to structural issues - and increasing financial losses.
In the past, Bassini has been linked with attempts to buy Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth. Birmingham MP Shabanna Mahmood has called on the government to halt any potential deal with Bassini citing reasons including his prevoius failed attemps to buy these clubs.
Here’s a look at the club’s owners through the years
1. Small Heath FC
Small Heath F.C. became a limited company in 1888. The board was made up of local businessmen and dignitaries
2. Coombs family
In 1905, the club’s name was changed to Birmingham and a year later the club relocated to St. Andrew’s. The Morris family was influential in the move, and eventually sold its stake in the club to businessman Clifford Coombs in 1965, whose family ran the club until the mid 80s - Photo: Trevor Francis: 1972
Photo: Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
3. Ken Wheldon
With the club in financial trouble in the mid 80s - the Coombs family sold the club to former Walsall F.C. chairman Ken Wheldon (pictured with Elton John in 1978)
Photo: Walsall FC
4. The Kumar brothers
In April 1989 the Kumar brothers, owners of a clothing chain, bought 84% of the club (photo Birmingham City Coach Bobby Ferguson during the FA Cup match against Leyton Oreint at Brisbane Road in London)