Shrewsbury in 'advanced talks' with new buyer

Shrewsbury Town CEO Liam Dooley hopes the club can enter into a period of exclusivity with a new buyer in the coming days and weeks

Shrewsbury Town chief executive Liam Dooley said the struggling League Two club is in advanced talks with a potential buyer.

A takeover deal by an American multi-millionaire collapsed in March following a six-month exclusivity period.

Mike Harris, the owner of Welsh side The New Saints of Oswestry, had also expressed an interest in buying the club from long-serving owner and chairman Roland Wycherley.

Dooley said the club now hopes to enter into a period of exclusivity with a prospective party "in the coming days and weeks".

He told the club website: "Since the conclusion of our previous exclusivity agreement, the board has carefully reviewed numerous expressions of interest.

"The majority did not progress beyond our internal process, which requires prospective buyers to demonstrate both proof of funds and a credible plan for the club.

"Following this thorough due diligence, we are really excited to have now found a potential buyer who we are close to entering into an exclusivity period with."

Dooley added the club was considering scrapping the director of football role after Micky Moore left by mutual consent on Friday.

Moore helped bring in eight players during the summer, but the Shrews sit 20th in League Two following their relegation last season.

"As a club we will now take a considered pause to reflect on our footballing structure," Dooley said.

"We're assessing what has worked well at other clubs and we will weigh up carefully whether to continue with a director of football model or return to a more traditional structure."

Dooley said he would oversee transfers until the end of the current window alongside head coach Michael Appleton and the club's recruitment team.

"Until just a couple of weeks ago, the majority of our supporters rightly believed that recruitment had been strong and that we were well-positioned for the season ahead," he added.

"And while we understand supporters' frustrations with recent results, our belief in this squad remains firm. It is just a matter of the players clicking and adapting to the new philosophy that Michael is working hard to implement."