CHINESE TYCOON OPENS TALKS TO BUY BARNSLEY

BARNSLEY are in advanced discussions with Nice’s Chinese billionaire majority shareholder Chien Lee over a takeover. Sources in France have told Sportsmail that the Championship club are seen as a key purchase as the consortium, which includes US businessman Paul Conway, look to expand their commercial portfolio. It is understood the wouldbe owners are not planning to plough huge finance into Barnsley but believe they can fund a tilt at Premier League promotion. The group spoke to Brentford earlier in the year about buying a stake at Griffin Park and also saw an offer for Middlesbrough rejected by Steve Gibson.

CARDIFF CITY forward Lee Tomlin and Accrington Stanley striker Billy Kee have been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. The alleged offence occurred outside a Leicester nightclub on January 22. Tomlin, 28, and Kee, 26, are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates Court on September 18.

MANCHESTER CITY have signed Nigeria striker Larry Kayode from Austria Vienna and sent him on loan to Girona. SUNDERLAND boss Simon Grayson says he would be ‘foolish not to consider’ a move for West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass.

UNDER-FIRE Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has insisted he will succeed if given time and said more change at the Championship club would be ‘expensive and ridiculous’. He added: ‘We need stability, continuity and common sense.’