Salford City Reds: Dr Marwan Koukash named as potential buyer

Millionaire racehorse owner Dr Marwan Koukash has been revealed as the potential new buyer of struggling Super League club Salford City Reds.

The Kuwait-born businessman has lived in Liverpool for more than 30 years and has almost 100 horses in training.

He held talks with the Rugby Football League, as well as Salford City Council and Peel Holdings, the co-owners of the Salford City Stadium, on Monday.

A winding-up hearing against Salford was adjourned until 4 February.

The Reds owe Revenue & Customs around £300,000, plus a combined total of around £70,000 to former players Luke Patten and Vinnie Anderson in unpaid wages.

And it was the prospect of new investment that persuaded a judge to postpone the hearing - which was initially due to take place at the end of October - for another four weeks.

The club's financial position has been a concern for much of the season, and a rescue plan that would have seen both Peel and Salford City Council each invest £750,000 was rejected by councillors in December.

But both parties are extremely keen for the Reds to survive and have been involved in talks with Dr Koukash, with negotiations set to continue on Tuesday.

Salford need around £600,000 to fulfil their Super League fixtures in 2013. Their season begins on 1 February at home to Wigan Warriors - three days before the rescheduled hearing.