BOURNEMOUTH COULD BE NEXT TOP-FLIGHT CLUB IN US HANDS

BOURNEMOUTH are in line to become the latest Premier League side to have American owners with a US-based consortium interested in buying the club.

Sources with knowledge of a proposed deal say Russian-born owner Maxim Demin is giving serious consideration to selling, although at this stage it is unclear whether the businessman is open to parting with all of the club.

The Cherries owner, who has British citizenship, is understood to have appointed US-based firm Montminy & Co to identify potential buyers or investors.

Sportsmail has learned that a group consisting of individuals with a background in American sports — including ice hockey — have expressed a firm interest in Bournemouth.

A businessman based in Las Vegas is believed to be fronting the consortium.

It has been indicated to Sportsmail that Demin values the club at more than £150million. Talks are believed to be under way and there has been a growing sense around the club in recent months that Demin is prepared to sell.

If a deal goes through, half the Premier League would have American owners. Most recently, Chelsea were purchased from long-time owner Roman Abramovich by billionaire businessman Todd Boehly and investment company Clearlake Capital in a deal worth £4.25billion.

In 2020, Demin considered an approach to buy the club from an Arab consortium involving members of the Abu Dhabi royal family. At the time, the proposed deal collapsed over price because the group only wanted to pay £140m, while Demin wanted significantly more. But the American consortium are said to be more willing to pay the sort of money that would be enough to strike an agreement.