Saudi takeover 'purely speculation' - Marshall

Reports of a Bristol City takeover by Saudi Arabian investors are "purely speculation", says Bristol Sport Group CEO and club director Gavin Marshall.

The Championship club have been linked this week to a takeover by Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh.

The news comes as WSL 2 side Bristol City Women have been sold by the Lansdown family to investment group Mercury13.

"It's just purely speculation. Since Steve's [Lansdown, owner] been open about looking for investment we've had a lot of speculation around different interested parties," Gavin Marshall told BBC Radio Bristol.

In May, Lansdown said the men's club were "not close" to a takeover or potential new investment having first declaration his intention to sell some, or all, of the club in 2021.

Any sale is complicated by the fact the club - as the women's side previously did - sits under the Bristol Sport umbrella, which also comprises Bristol Bears' men's and women's rugby teams and the Bristol Flyers basketball outfit.

Work on a new 'Sporting Quarter' near Ashton Gate Stadium is also set to begin later this year.

Marshall, however, said the sale was only about the women's WSL 2 side.

"This deal is about Bristol City Women, Steve's been open around looking for investment who can take the club forward hence this deal with Mercury13," Marshall added.