Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Khalifa has hired Brewin Dolphin, the UK broker, and law firm Linklaters as he prepares to bid for Leeds United, the debt-ridden UK Premiership football club.

A statement made on Tuesday for Al Khalifa, who is long-term supporter of the club, said: "The Sheikh confirms that he is at an early stage in exploring a number of options to assist the company in its present financial position that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company's issued share capital."