Laurence Bassini says he is very close to completing a deal to buy Bolton Wanderers and insists he is the right man to take the club forwards.

The controversial former Watford owner is looking to finalise a takeover in the coming days to take control of the troubled Whites who are in the midst of a financial crisis.

Bassini says he has some final issues to iron out with current chairman Ken Anderson but is already plotting a return to the top flight for Wanderers.

“If it wasn't for my love and affection for football and this club, I wouldn't be interested,” the 49-year-old told talkSport.

“Bolton is a great, great club.

“I looked two years ago just before Mr Anderson came in. It’s a great club that deserves more and has the potential to return to the top

“I was at the game on Saturday at QPR and it was a great result.

“I don’t know if we’ll go down this season, I’m hoping we won’t, but if we do money will be put in to bring them straight back up.

“If they go down it’s a three-year plan, if they stay up it’s a two-year plan to get back in the Premier League.

“I am a multi-millionaire. The money is available and there’s just a couple of things to check with Anderson and the club.

“We are very close in this coming week.”

The 48-year-old, who says he will be the sole backer, has twice been declared bankrupt and was banned from holding a position of authority at an English Football League club for three years in 2013.

He however insists that Wanderers fans should not be concerned by his background.

“It’s taken six years to investigate the actual things that have gone on,” Bassini said.

“People have done things they shouldn’t have done and there is a police and Football League investigation going on.

“If it had been true what had gone on I wouldn’t have been allowed back into football.

“I was never a rogue chairman and a rogue owner.”