Salford City Reds owner Marwan Koukash wants to buy Oldham Athletic, M.E.N. Sport can exclusively reveal.[/font][/color]
The horse-racing magnate, who saved the Super League side from administration in February, is hoping to complete his takeover at Boundary Park before the start of the new season.[/font][/color]
In a radio interview Dr Koukash said that he was close to buying a football club and returning it to its heyday.[/font][/color]
He refused to identify the club but we understand that it is League One Latics, whose chairman Simon Corney is looking to sell.[/font][/color]
Dr Koukash declined to comment when contacted by M.E.N. Sport.[/font][/color]
But a source close to the 54-year-old confirmed that the club is Oldham and added that the potential swoop would not affect his ownership of the Reds.[/font][/color]
Mr Corney said: “We have had discussions with a number of people about buying the club and for one reason or another nothing has materialised.[/font][/color]
“I know Marwan, I like him and I think he would be fantastic for a club like Oldham.[/font][/color]
“He is a genuine sports fan as we have seen with his passion for horse racing and his passion for rugby league.[/font][/color]
“He is a friend of the north west and when he does something he does it properly as we have seen with Salford.[/font][/color]
“I would welcome his involvement. He is exactly the type of person I would like to be interested in the club.”[/font][/color]
Dr Koukash told the BBC World Service: "There is a club I'm looking at which hopefully we will be able to secure within the next month or two.[/font][/color]
"I'm not going to reveal which club it is but it will compliment my interest in racing and rugby."[/font][/color]
He added: "Before I got involved in racing I was at the point where I nearly completed the purchase of a Championship side.[/font][/color]
"I had quite a lot of success early on to the point where I put football aside and concentrated more on racing, and now I'm looking for a new challenge."[/font][/color]
Since taking over at the Salford City Stadium Dr Koukash has been linked with a number of high-profile signings and has called on the Rugby Football League to increase the salary cap.[/font][/color]
"The particular club we're looking at the remedy for it is there," he said. "It was a huge club previously and it just needs that little bit of extra investment to take it to the next level.[/font][/color]
"By bringing in the personnel that were previously associated with the club at its heyday and bringing people in who are genuine club supporters it will excite the fans.[/font][/color]
"Once I get the football club I will definitely have my own TV channel which will cover my three sports; racing, rugby and football."[/font][/color]
Oldham were founder members of the Premier League after enjoying success under Joe Royle.[/font][/color]
They were relegated from the top flight in 1994 and dropped to the third tier in 1997 where they have remained ever since.[/font][/color]
from MEN.
[/font][/color]
