Singapore billionaire Peter Lim said that his investment in semi-pro Northern Premier League side Salford City with the five "class of 92" former ManU stars "has nothing to do with third-party ownership of players," in which Lim is involved at La Liga side Valencia, according to David Conn of the London GUARDIAN. Lim, who is in the final negotiations of a protracted takeover at the Spanish club, "owns 100% of the economic rights in two players, the Spanish striker Rodrigo Moreno Machado and the Portuguese midfielder André Gomes." Agent Jorge Mendes "is a close friend of Lim and has been significantly involved with the acquisitions of Rodrigo and Gomes, as well as other moves to Valencia." A spokesperson for Lim emphasized his involvement with Salford is “philanthropic,” motivated by his interest in developing young players, and has nothing to do with Valencia, Mendes or TPO. The spokesperson said, "The only reason for Peter’s investment in Salford City is aligned with his personal philanthropic interest in youth development, and of course his support for the members of the class of 92" (GUARDIAN, 9/28).