Hull City say 'numerous bidders' still in takeover talks ahead of proposed sale
The Tigers have been up for sale since 2014 but the Allam family are keen to sell up before Christmas
Philip Buckingham
Sign up to FREE daily email alerts from HullLive - Hull City
Hull City have maintained that "numerous bidders" remain in takeover talks ahead of a proposed sale of the club before the turn of the year.
City have commented publicly on recent takeover reports for the first time when confirming several interested parties were still negotiating with owners Assem and Ehab Allam.
Vicky Beercock, head of marketing and communications, told a Supporters Committee meeting on Monday that "a sale process" was ongoing, with the aim to be "completed by Christmas."
David Beeby, club secretary, was also present and stated that "the sale is currently in a due diligence process". In minutes released on the club's website last night, he added: "This makes it hard to state a fixed expectation date for a sale to be completed."
Hull City owner Assem Allam
Reports from the BBC have suggested that the Allam family said goodbye to a number of staff at the KCOM Stadium when attending the rugby league international between England and New Zealand on Saturday.
That has been taken as an indicator a sale was close but sources have suggested that there are still a number of obstacles to overcome before a takeover is complete.
Hull City takeover news
How much Hull City could be worth
Paul Duffen refuses to comment on bid
Paul Duffen's Hull City legacy
The facts about Duffen's 'Hull City bid'
Fans launch takeover bid
City bid statement
Crowdfunding takeover explained
Who is Alex Jarvis
It is understood Paul Duffen remains at the forefront of talks as he heads up a consortium believed to be backed by investors from Saudi Arabia.
Duffen was previously pictured with Ehab Allam last month during a trip to Italy alongside a number of fellow businessmen described as "clients" and is eager to finalise a deal that would seal his return to the club he served as chairman between 2007 and 2009.
Phil Brown and Paul Duffen celebrate Hull City's promotion back in 2008. (Image: HDM)
City, however, have always maintained that three different bidders had all declared an interest.
Sports crowd micro-financing business SportyCo made it clear last month that they intended to launch a £45m offer with the backing of Hull City Supporters Trust, while a third US-based consortium is also believed to have made contact with City's owners.
The Allam family have been in charge at the KCOM Stadium since 2010 but put the club up for sale in April 2014 after a bid to rebrand as Hull Tigers was rejected by the Football Association.
Hull City takeover
Assem & Ehab Allam
Paul Duffen