Ranson set to fail in City bid

Former Manchester City star Ray Ranson seems set to fail in his £70million bid to seize control of the Eastlands outfit.

Ranson is thought to be fronting one of a number of 'interested parties' currently in discussions with Blues chairman John Wardle about a possible buy-out.

But it is thought Wardle is currently favouring a mystery US-led consortium, having received assurances they would not saddle the club in further debt.

As a lifelong City fan, Wardle, who together with business partner David Makin owns almost 30% of the club, as well as £20million in outstanding loans, retains the club's interests at heart and has no intention of doing any deal just for the sake of it.

And he is anxious current boss Stuart Pearce is handed some kind of transfer kitty to strengthen his squad as part of any transfer of power.

The Blues board were updated on the progress of 'preliminary discussions' at a meeting on Monday and while no further public announcements are envisaged in the short term, it is hoped discussions will eventually move to a more advanced stage, with talks with the Americans due later this week.