Indian businessman Saurin Shah is on the brink of a £25 million takeover of Blackburn Rovers.

The Times says Blackburn's board has given Shah, little known outside his home city of Mumbai, permission to begin the due diligence process after several weeks of secret talks.

He hopes to complete the takeover by mid-July and to establish strong links not only with the town's Indian population but also, more globally, with cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL), of which his uncle, Niranjan, is deputy chairman.

Shah's vision, through his Qubic Sports investment vehicle, is to create strong links between Blackburn and the IPL, which would allow cross- marketing. India is regarded by many Premier League clubs as an area of huge potential growth and Shah believes that his links with the IPL would leave Blackburn well placed to secure a strong position in that market.