Hong Kong businessman set for Birmingham stake

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is poised to buy a major stake in Birmingham - but will stop short of a complete takeover of the midlands club.

Yeung is set to purchase around half of the shares owned by current owners David Sullivan and brothers David and Ralph Gold who own 78% of the shares.

He has come to this decision after holding talks with Sullivan and the Golds over the past few days.

It was originally thought that Yeung would splash out around £50m and end Sullivan and the Golds’ 14 years in charge at St Andrews.

Yeung would then have a considerable say in the running of City – but not total control – and would become the largest single share-holder.

But it would mean Sullivan and the Golds maintaining a major role with Blues although the door would remain open for Yeung, who will pay between £15m to £20m at this juncture, to eventually obtain a controlling interest in the future.