Businessman linked with Chelsea takeover spotted at EFL ground after talks confirmed

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US-born Saudi businessman Amr Zedan was spotted at Deepdale as Preston North End hosted Queens Park Rangers on Easter Monday. The 51-year-old could become the latest American investor to take over a club in the Football League after entering talks with the Lillywhites in January.

Preston sit 14th in the Championship, 10 points off the playoffs. They are currently managed by Paul Heckingbottom, who has won promotion to the Premier League Sheffield United and has tasted League One playoffs success with Barnsley. The Lancashire club have been in the second tier of English football since 2016 but have been out of the top-flight since 1961 when they were relegated from the old Division One.

At the end of January, Sky News reported that Zedan held talks over investment in one of the Football League's founding members and the businessman was one of the prospective buyers of Chelsea when Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the Blues.

Zedan is reported to have a net worth of over £300 million. The 51-year-old is heavily involved in horse racing , primarily in California with high-profile trainer Bob Baffert, and is the chairman of the his family business, the Zedan Group, a Saudi engineering conglomerate.

The Saudi is a venture investor and has previously invested in Bio-Tech, a field that integrates natural and engineering sciences, and Pharma.

Zedan's attendance at Deepdale for their encounter with QPR comes days after his cryptic social media post, where he took to Instagram to update his followers that he was watching Preston's 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

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A spokesperson for Mr Zedan said that discussions had been ongoing since early December "regarding an investment in the club intended to support its long-term Premier League ambitions".

Preston chairman Ian Penrose confirmed that talks with potential investors were ongoing. He said: "We have commenced discussions with a number of parties from around the world who have expressed an interest in acquiring Preston North End.

"This process is in its early stages and is ongoing as we continue to receive new approaches.

"I can confirm that we have had discussions with Mr Zedan, who we respect highly.

"Mr Zedan is one of a number of successful individuals or organisations that have made enquiries about the club. Specific comments on any approach are inappropriate at this stage.

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"While such a transaction can take months to conclude and there is no certainty that a successful outcome will be achieved, it is the board's intention to conclude these negotiations at the earliest opportunity.

"It is of utmost importance that any future owner of Preston North End is the right fit for the football club in order to maximise the club's potential and the ambitions of our fans, stakeholders and owners."

Penrose replaced owner Craig Hemmings as Preston chairman after more than six years in the position in October. The move was part of the wider strategt for the club to find new investment and a potential new owner/new ownership group at Deepdale to allow the club to compete in the Championship.