Lerner negotiations going well

Sources close to the Cleveland Browns, the NFL team Lerner owns admit he is looking for opportunities in England and initial talks with Villa are reported to have already taken place with a view for £57m purchase. There is further interest from both home, not least from local businessman Michael Neville and overseas but with time short before the onset of the new season Lerner's hard cash will be hard to refuse. Ellis is due to return to the Midlands from his yacht in the next few days and the 44-year-old investment banker could soon follow Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer into English football.

Obviously, Glazer's arrival was not met with open arms, with fans worried he would be more devoted to making money than winning. In America, opinion in America is divided on Lerner.