NPL and former National Soccer League side, Melbourne Knights have reportedly been approached by a Chinese consortium about a joint-venture A-League licence.
The Herald Sunย has reportedย that the Chinese investor is a "propertyย developer with a small stake in several European clubs and a bigger share in a Chinese club" and is in talks with the Knights about a $25 million venture.
The Knight are said to have agreed to commit over $8 million to the bid to land an A-League licence.
Club vice-president Simun Samardzic confirmed to the Herald Sun that negotiations are underway with a Chinese businessman, however, did not reveal his identity.
The proposal will involve the Knights having a club in the A-League and also the NPL, which will act as a feeder club to the A-League side and possibly also a Chinese Super League club.
โWe as a club are looking to the future and the interest from China is very serious,'' Samardzic told the Herald Sun.
โAt this stage we are not in a position to reveal the identity of the Chinese businessman, but he's passionate about football and has followed the Newcastle Jets sale very closely.
โWe realise that we are little hope of joining the A-League ourselves, but we remain a club that's internationally renowned because of our success and proud history having produced the likes of Viduka, Simunic, Tiatto and Frank Juric, who played all over the world.''
