QPR could have new owners before they gain promotion to the Premier League, reports the Daily Star after Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone opened talks over selling their 67 per cent stake in the club. The duo are ready to sell up with the club on the brink of a return to the top flight.

Vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, though, insists he and the Mittel family, who own the rest of the company have no intention of walking away.

A club statement confirmed that preliminary talks had started "which may or may not result in an offer being made."

Bhatia, who joined the board of directors in 2007, has no intention of selling his shares and said: "My family and I would like to make clear that we are not part of these negotiations to sell our share."