The Sentinel newspaper claims that Paul Wildes and business associate Norman Smurthwaite are set to be named as the preferred bidders for Port Vale FC on Tuesday.

There has been much speculation as to who would be named as the club’s preferred bidder after a press conference was called for Tuesday this week.

Wildes, a 35-year-old Sheffield-born venture capitalist, was finance chief for the Caudwell group before leaving to launch his own company, the Mansion Group, in 2007.

He is expected to link up with retired finance expert Smurthwaite.

Neither the Supporters Club nor the football club would confirm the rumours whilst the newspaper reported that neither Wildes nor Smurthwaite were available for comment.