Paladini's 22 per cent

Last updated : 22 April 2004 By Mark O' Haire

QPR are praying that at least two of the three takeover bids currently on the table will save the club from savage cuts in the summer.

Millionaire agent Gianni Paladini represents the likes of Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli, and is expected to land a £2 million investment by Monday - or face agreed financial penalties if he doesn't.

Paladini's plan is to pick up a minimum 22 per cent of existing shares with an option to control the club with a later 51 per cent stake, but your favourite local paper has learnt that the former Italian international is not averse to working with another group fronted by Brian Rowe.

The former Rs marketing manager has had his bid on the table for a month, and is hoping the two groups can come to some arrangement leading to a further £2m in the Rs' coffers.

However, a third bid from an unnamed consortium is also in front of the current board, and like London buses, nothing comes for an age before three arrive together.

Confidentiality clauses have officially zipped up mouths, but the club are confident that unlike the chequered bids of the recent past, the current trio have proven funds.

Paladini is a busy man this week as he also has a finger in the Derby County pie. The financially crippled Rams have turned to the agent to help get Italian investors while he pursues his interest in QPR.