WANDERERS are playing down suggestion that the club is to be sold to a wealthy consortium from Ireland.

Reports at the weekend claimed talks were held last week about a potential takeover, which hinged on owner Eddie Davies wiping clean the debt owed to him – a figure well in excess of £150million.

While there has been no official comment from the Macron Stadium, reaction to the story has been very cool, with one source passing it off as “gossip”.

Rumours also circulated last week about an Israeli consortium holding talks with Wanderers but these too have been cast into doubt.

Wanderers remain on the lookout for outside investors and chairman Phil Gartside had well-publicised talks with a Thai consortium last year, which ultimately came to nothing.