Wasps 'close' to finding new owners

While no preferred party has yet been selected, English Premiership club Wasps is confident that the process of finding a new owner is now nearing conclusion.

Wasps current owner, Steve Hayes, revealed late last year that he has started the search for his successor, after his plans to develop a new stadium in High Wycombe fell through.

Hayes had also planned for the club, along with Wycombe Wanderers FC, to move into a new sporting village in High Wycombe, which would have included a 17,500 capacity stadium.

But Wycombe district council withdrew their support for the proposal and, with that plan having fallen through, Hayes felt that he could not take the club forward as he had hoped.

Wasps currently play their home games at Wycombe's Adams Park ground, where the club has have a two-year notice period.

In a statement issued at the weekend Wasps confirmed that the club is at advanced stages of discussions with four parties interested in becoming the new owners.

"Since Steve Hayes announced that the club was for sale some months ago, a large number of parties had expressed interest, and discussions are now focused on the final four parties who have all demonstrated that they are financially capable of completing a deal and supporting the club effectively going forward," the statement said.

"In each case the relationship between the club and these parties is governed by a strict contract of non-disclosure which means that no details of their identity may be disclosed in advance of a deal being completed.

"No preferred party has yet been selected but the club is confident that the process is now nearing conclusion.

"Current owner Steve Hayes has reiterated that a key factor in the final decision will be the plans for and ability to offer the club a sustainable and successful future."