Laurence Bassini: Former Watford owner hopes to complete Birmingham City takeover

Laurence Bassini was the owner of Watford until the summer of 2012

Former Watford owner Laurence Bassini is hoping to complete a takeover at Championship club Birmingham City.

Blues have been looking for new investment, with a number of parties keen to take charge at St Andrews.

BBC Sport has been told 52-year-old Bassini is travelling to the Midlands with the intention of finalising a £35m purchase of the club.

Birmingham have spent 11 successive seasons in the second tier since they were relegated from the Premier League.

They are currently Chinese-owned, by Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited, who have been in place since 2016.

Bassini is no stranger to controversy, having been banned from football for three years in March 2013 after being found guilty of misconduct by an FA commission.

He subsequently had talks about potential involvement at Charlton, Bolton and Oldham when they were suffering financial issues.

It is not thought Bassini intends to sit on the Birmingham board, but any deal would be subject to English Football League scrutiny.