Gymshark founder and CEO Ben Francis has insisted that talk he is set to take over at Reading is untrue and stressed he is an Aston Villa fan.
Reading are in trouble off the pitch and a change in ownership is widely expected to happen at some point, but it is unclear who will become Dai Yongge’s successor.
It has been claimed that Francis, who founded Gymshark and operates as its CEO, is set to become the Royals’ white knight.
Francis has been claimed to be set to become the club’s sole owner.
However, Francis has taken to X to distance himself from the talk and reveal the only club he would become involved with is the club he supports, Aston Villa.
He does though send his best wishes to Reading and is hoping they can turn things around.
“I’m sorry but this isn’t true”, Francis wrote.
“I’m a Villa fan through and through and wouldn’t have an involvement with any other club.
“Plus I’m far too busy at Gymshark!
“All the best I hope you can get everything sorted.”
Reading currently sit just inside the relegation zone in the League One table under Ruben Selles.
The Royals lost away at Wigan Athletic on Saturday and will be next in action at home against promotion chasing Derby County on Tuesday evening.
