'Three groups' vying for control of Tranmere

Tranmere Rovers chairman Mark Palios spent a total of nine years at the club as a player

Tranmere Rovers chairman Mark Palios said there are "three different groups" vying to take over the League Two club.

An offer to buy shares was accepted last year, but a sale has been delayed, and Palios now hopes to complete a deal before the start of next season.

Last year, it was reported that rapper A$AP Rocky - the boyfriend of pop star Rihanna - was interested in investing in Tranmere.

He was said to be part of a group led by celebrity lawyer Joe Tacopina, who had been looking at purchasing an 80% stake in the Birkenhead club.

"All parties expected completion to take place before the season started," Palios told the club website.

"The delays since then, all for circumstances outside of our control, have been the source of enormous frustration.

"We have three different groups (including both the party with whom we agreed terms last year, and the party who narrowly missed out at that stage), all of whom... we feel would be able to take the club forward."

A season of 'disappointment'

Former Football Association chief executive Palios has been the owner of Tranmere since 2014, alongside his wife Nicola.

Last year, he told BBC Radio Merseyside that he had been looking for investment for almost two years: "We are making every effort to conclude the matter successfully, with the best possible partner to secure the long-term future of the club, as soon as possible."

Earlier this month, Tranmere finished the season in 20th place, nine points clear of the relegation zone.

The club have since confirmed Andy Crosby as their permanent manager, following a spell in interim charge.

Crosby arrived at Prenton Park in December to work as a coach under Nigel Adkins, only to be promoted when Adkins left with the club 22nd in the table in February.

"I can't gloss over what a disappointment this season has been overall, especially given that we were playing with the largest squad budget that we have had during my time at the club," Palios added.

"A key aspect that we will be looking at closely is why we had so many players out injured for prolonged periods of time.

"Almost 20% of our entire wage bill was spent on players who were out injured.

"Having injured players back for the run-in undoubtedly played a part in our up-tick in form at the latter end of the season, although this does not detract from the great job done by Andy Crosby."