CEO Prins denies Swallows' purchase bids

Moroka Swallows CEO Leon Prins on Tuesday denied recent widespread reports that several bids ranging from R60 million to R80 million had been made for the tradition-steeped, but currently cash-strapped, Soweto Premiership club.

"I know nothing of these offers," said Prins.

"And if I don't know anything about them, they are no more than speculation and not concrete efforts to take over the club.

"In any case, the club is currently not for sale and all our efforts are being directed at securing a sponsor to replace the Volkswagen motor giant."

Prins also said concerted efforts to secure a sponsor had now reached an advanced stage, and he was hopeful they could be concluded in a short space of time -- possibly even before the start of the next Premier League season.

The ownership of Swallows currently remains part of the vast and complicated estate of the late German billionaire and low-key business tycoon, Dieter Bock, who died in 2010 at the age of 71.

Shortly before his death Bock, who secured the ownership of Swallows from the late David Chabeli, invited a prospective buyer or investors to become involved in the club to further the interests of Swallows and provide it with a wider range of support to achieve its objectives and ambitions.

Swallows started the 2013/14 season as one of the main challengers for the Premier League title after finishing the previous season as runners-up, led by coach Gordon Igesund.

Igesund left The Birds to become head coach of Bafana Bafana, but with the SA Football Association announcing that his contract with the national team would not be renewed when it expires at the end of next month, it was speculated that a return to Swallows would be a logical move for him.

"Gordon is one of my best friends and we have a particularly good relationship," said Prins.

"When I come to Johannesburg from Cape Town I even stay at his home at times. But there are presently no negotiations for him to return to Swallows."

While Swallows have secured the services of several new players in order to rebuild the team after staving off the possibility of relegation last season, they have also had to sell star players to Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs for what would appear to be financial reasons.