Leeds United: Massimo Cellino meets with Brian McDermott

Prospective Leeds owner Massimo Cellino met manager Brian McDermott and managing director David Haigh over the weekend to discuss his plans for the club, BBC Radio Leeds has learned.

The Italian has agreed to buy 75% of the club but must pass the Football League's "fit and proper" owner test.

Cellino met league officials on Wednesday but a decision is not thought to be imminent.

Leeds are 11th in the Championship, eight points off the play-off places.

Cellino, 57, reached a deal with current owners GFH on 31 January and his lawyer, Chris Farnell, told McDermott that he had been relieved of his duties on the same day.

The former Reading manager was reinstated within 24 hours, with GFH claiming it still owned and controlled the club.

Meanwhile, suggestions that the Premier League have registered an objection to Cellino's proposed takeover are understood to be unfounded.

It was thought that the top flight's governing body had contacted the Football League to say it would refuse to accept Cellino as a club owner if Leeds were promoted from the Championship.

Reports suggested that the Premier League may provide a stumbling block to the takeover as the Cagliari owner has a criminal conviction; though it is now considered to be spent.