Premier League side Aston Villa is "on course for a takeover this summer" after it emerged Owner Randy Lerner is "in 'delicate' negotiations with an interested party," according to John Percy of the London TELEGRAPH. Lerner has been "discussing a potential" £150M ($221.2M) sale since the start of the year and could "end his association with the club at the end of this season." The potential buyers have "signed a non-disclosure agreement and are determined to keep their identity secret" but are in "advanced talks" with Lerner and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Sources close to the deal "insist nothing is imminent" at this stage, with Villa’s Premier League future "still hanging in the balance." But the consortium will "press ahead with plans to buy" the former European Cup winners "when the picture is clearer" over which division Villa will be operating in next season. Even if Villa suffers "relegation" to the League Championship, the party "would remain interested but Lerner's asking price will be severely affected" (TELEGRAPH, 3/14).
