Souness insists he made Wolves offer

Graeme Souness has claimed he has made a bid to buy Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite the Championship club having earlier denied they have been in negotiations with the former Rangers, Liverpool and Newcastle manager.

Souness was reported to be part of a consortium interested in taking over control of the Molineux club from owner Sir Jack Hayward, who has said he will hand over the reins to an investor prepared to pump £20million into the club.

A statement from Wanderers chief executive Jez Moxey said: 'It is not true that we are in negotiations with Graeme Souness or anyone connected to him."

But Souness told the Wolverhampton Express & Star: 'I have offered to buy the Wolves for £20million. I don't know why Jez Moxey is saying these things. I have had several telephone conversations with Sir Jack Hayward and I have spoken as well with Jez Moxey.

'And last week I made an offer, subject to an examination of the club's books and accounts, of £20million which is the figure Sir Jack had publicly declared he was looking for.'

Hayward has made it clear the influx of funds would have to be used for 'team strengthening'.

He said in November: 'I have always said that if someone comes in with some money we would be prepared to sell. Originally we asked for £40million but maybe now it is time to change that valuation.'

'Maybe now we would sell if someone came in with £20million that they were prepared to invest in the club. If they could promise that investment for team strengthening, we would be prepared to listen.'

Souness attended the Barnsley game at Molineux on New Year's Day as a guest of the club, although Moxey claimed that was after a chance meeting on a flight to Florida.

The Scot said today: 'I was told 'no' by Jez Moxey but the offer still stands. It is Sir Jack's football club and if he chooses not to sell it at this time, that's his prerogative.

'He can do what he wants. I have a partner and I see the club having vast potential and I will put more money into it if I got the opportunity.

'This is not a Johnny Foreigner coming along to make a quick buck. But Jez has told me no, the offer wasn't acceptable. That's the end of the matter, but it is there on the table.'