Blackburn close to chicken company takeover

Blackburn Rovers are close to a shock takeover by the VH Group - an Indian company that made billions in the chicken industry.

Rovers could be in new hands as early as next week as representatives of the firm, which has expanded into many widespread fields, are due to arrive for final talks in the next 48 hours.

And the Premier League are also expected to put the mystery group through a thorough inspection about their background and plans before rubber-stamping the £40 million-plus bid.

The VH Group are known throughout Asia as leaders in the poultry business but they want to crack European markets and see Premier League football as a base for their expansion.

Known locally as Venky's - short for Venkateshwara Hatcheries - they have amassed a great fortune in the past few decades and have the money to buy out the late Jack Walker's Trustees for cash with no borrowing.

Rovers is for sale at around £25 million and have debts of around £16 million. There would be money to wipe that out and put cash in a transfer kitty for January.

Ironically Rovers have been a target for a couple of other bidders from India, with the VH Group the latest but about to become the most successful in that quest.

VH Group refused to comment last night but an insider near the deal said: "The group want to buy Rovers because they feel the Premier League is going to get bigger and bigger in India and Asia.

"This is a cash deal, with no leverage. The company has a lot of money and will not be wasting it, but they are very keen to succeed and see huge opportunities for all sides."