Massimo Cellino will not sell Leeds United until next year

Controversial Italian does not consider any of the potential buyers to be serious

Cellino pictured speaking to reporters in Italy (Getty Images)

Leeds United's controversial Italian owner Massimo Cellino has said that club will not be sold until next year.

At least seven different parties are said to be interested in buying the West Yorkshire club but, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Cellino does not consider any of the potential buyers to be serious.

He had initally agreed to sell to Leeds Fans United but then pulled out of that deal because the supporter funded group spoke to the press to much, in his opinion.

Local millionaire businessman Steve Parkin, himself a Leeds United fan, has held a long-term interest in buying the club but the pair could not reach a deal. Cellino is thought to have asked for a deposit in order to carry out due diligence checks.

Cellino is currently awaiting an appeal over his suspension from running the club, who currently sit 15th in the Championship. He is currently banned because of a recent conviction of fraud.

The Italian says he has wanted to sell after fans made it clear during the recent match at Elland Road against Blackburn Rovers that they no longer wanted him in charge.

But Cellino has now said he is not willing to sell the club until he knows the club will be safe from relegation.

Manager Steve Evans hopes Cellino will back him with extra funds in the January transfer windown.

“There was great expectation here in the summer," said Evans. "When Leeds sign people like Chris Wood and Stuart Dallas, what comes from that is expectation that this could be the season where perhaps they get into the top half and then who knows.

“When the president here goes out and spends, I’m guessing, in excess of £3 million on Wood and probably a couple of million on Dallas, he’s showing a willingness to put his hand in his pocket.

“From an owner’s point of view, you want to find a reason to spend money. The only way I can convince the president here to put his hand in his pocket if for me to give him a problem. The only way I can give him a problem is to have us in the top 10 in the middle of January. Then I do believe he will support me.

“He’s told me that so I believe it.”