Pompey bidder assesses club books

PORTSMOUTH could soon have a new owner after representatives of an investor interested in taking charge of the stricken club began the process of due diligence.

Rob Lloyd, the businessman fronting the bid for an unnamed colleague, arrived at the club yesterday with a lawyer to commence the study of their accounts.

No exclusivity period has been entered into due to the additional financial commitment that would have entailed – a fee of £5,000 was required simply to gain access to the books.