League One side Tranmere Rovers Chair Peter Johnson "believes a deal to sell the club could happen within the next couple of weeks," according to the BBC. The club has "been in conversation with a number of potential owners this season." Johnson said when "asked if there is a deal" on offer, "I think so, but there's many a slip twixt cup and lip." Johnson was asked if the "potential investor has enough capital to take the club forward." Johnson: "Yes, I believe so. [He's] a bit younger than I am, they've got the money and I'm satisfied that the fans will be able to trust him" (BBC, 3/17). In Liverpool, Nick Hilton reported Johnson has been "looking for new investors in the League One club for the best part of a decade." The process was "stepped up at the start of this season when he revealed a number of bidders were in negotiations." Talks with "former Wirral Grammar School boy Michael Wilde broke down last month with the Jersey-based property developer admitting to his disappointment." Johnson declined to allow the Tranmere Rovers Supporters Trust to "press their takeover bid after the fans group could raise" only £180,000 ($299,400) in funds. Johnson is sensitive to the "concerns of fans that a potential buyer might seek to exploit Tranmere's land assets ahead of safeguarding the future of the club." Johnson: "The lower divisions are littered with examples of clubs being raped for their properties" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 3/17).
