Leeds takeover hitch

Ugandan tycoon Michael Ezra's £60million bid for cash-strapped Leeds is reportedly being held up over a technicality regarding boardroom composition.

Property mogul Ezra is understood to have been given a guided tour of both Elland Road and Leeds' Thorp Arch training complex in the past few days, with the 30-year-old due to watch tonight's relegation clash with Wolves.

Ezra is understood to have the money in place, with his offer dwarfing that made by a Yorkshire-based consortium who has been is discussion for almost three weeks regarding their own takeover.

Sports philanthropist Ezra, who helps fund the Ugandan boxing team, is looking to have his own men in place in the boardroom.

But Leeds' chief executive Trevor Birch is unhappy with such a proposal, although negotiations are likely to continue while Ezra is in England.

'The six-man board that I had presented doesn't have any Britons and Leeds don't find that acceptable,' said Ezra through Ugandan newspaper The New Vision.

'They also feel that my board lacks the technical expertise to bolster the club, but money is no longer the issue, that has been sorted.'

Ezra added: 'Leeds know that I have £60million, while my board would also spend an extra £30million to strengthen the team.'

Ezra's apparent bid comes just days away from the latest deadline imposed by creditors, who are owed a combined £82million.

If the proposal is to be believed, American bond holders Metlife and Teachers, along with British company M&G, as well as player-leasing agents Registered European Football Finance Ltd, would almost certainly be willing to pursue Ezra's offer.