Serious investor eyes Pompey

Prospective Portsmouth owner Rob Lloyd insists there is a 'substantial investor' involved in his consortium ahead of an expected period of due diligence.

The property tycoon is reported to be ready to settle an exclusivity agreement with Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou on Monday.

That would start a 14-day period of due diligence and Lloyd is confident the investor will pass the Premier League's fit and proper persons' test amid concerns at Fratton Park.

He told Sky Sports News: "It is certainly genuine. I certainly wouldn't have spent my Sunday coming down here and wasting all the time.

"I have got more things than nuts and fruit cake on at the moment with my own company. There is a substantial investor involved here."

Early stages

Asked if the investor would pass the fit and proper persons' test, Lloyd said: "There have been issues before.

"Certainly knowing the investor involved, he would tick all the boxes. He's very substantial. And I think he would be good for the club."

Lloyd pointed out, though, that there was still a long way to go in the process.

"We've got to conclude the deal first of all," he added. "I'm not making false promises.

"We're at early stages, there's a lot to do, there's a lot to do in 14 days.

"There are going to be a lot of sleepless nights. But let's get to first base initially."

He added: "This is not a short-term fix; you can see this club is absolutely on its knees. The fans and other people associated with the club have been hugely let down.

Surprise

"This isn't going to be fixed overnight. There's no question, no doubt in my mind this is going to take years. And it's baby steps, it's building the blocks, it's building the foundations and making this club into a successful clubs."

However, Andronikou has expressed his surprise that news of Lloyd's interest had been made public even before any official approach had been made.

"I find it really strange he has taken this route," he said. "I want to hear from him as I have not actually spoken to him at all. I am waiting for his phone call."

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, who is preparing his rock-bottom side for Monday's Premier League trip to Liverpool, would welcome new investment, but is wary.

He said: "I hope that someone will take the club and we will do what we can do.

"But I am sorry to say, there is 25 potential owners so I hope that from the potential will come reality."