Former player Ray Ranson said yesterday he has submitted a revised proposal to English soccer club Manchester City regarding a proposed offer for the club.
Ranson, who said on Tuesday he had the backing of a British-based financial partner, said in a statement the revised proposal add-ressed the club's concerns about conditionality and he hoped to enter formal discussions with the board.
Manchester City denied on Wednesday it had received a 90 million-pound takeover bid from Ranson but said it would consider offers for the Premier League club.
BBC Radio Manchester reported on Tuesday Ranson had made a bid worth 90 million pounds for his former club.
Manchester City said they had received a highly conditional indicative proposal from Ranson but it contained a number of material conditions it did not believe the club could fulfil.
Ranson, 46, also played for Birmingham, Newcastle and Reading before enjoying a lucrative business career, becoming a multi-millionaire from insurance and football finance.
City have been seeking investors, with chairman John Wardle keen to attract significant funds for a club that has long lived in the shadow of neighbours Manchester United.
Media reports on Monday said former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who failed in a bid to buy Liverpool in 2004, had made a preliminary approach, although this was denied by his lawyer on Tuesday.
Richards out after surgery on calf injury
Manchester City defender Micah Richards will not play again until next season after surgery on a calf injury, ruling him out of England's Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia on June 6.
"Micah had his operation yesterday, everything went very successfully but obviously it is now a number of weeks to recover," manager Stuart Pearce said.
Richards suffers from compartment syndrome, which affects the muscles in his lower legs. He has not played since coming on as a sub in England's 0-0 qualifying draw in Israel on March 24.
Pearce said: "He won't play until pre-season now."
Richards's absence will be a blow for England coach Steve McClaren, who sees him as the obvious replacement for first-choice Gary Neville. Currently injured, Neville could be back for Manchester United this weekend at Everton.