Leeds poised to sell

Richard Thompson, the former Queen's Park Rangers chairman, is set to take over at Leeds United. It is understood he has agreed to buy a majority 66 per cent shareholding with the recently retired chairman, Leslie Silver, and the acting chairman, Bill Fotherby, giving him two months to finance the deal.

That should give Thompson time to sell off his pounds 10m interest in Rangers, with the Chris Wright, of Chrysalis, leading a list of possible buyers. Thompson's hopes of acquiring the Yorkshire club could be halted by the vice-chairman, Peter Gillman, who owns a 32 per cent stake in the club and has been on the board for 16 years.

Barry Fry has been confirmed as the new owner of Peterborough United and has committed himself to reviving the fortunes of the Second Division club. "I will be taking full time charge of playing affairs and will be on the training field morning, noon and night," he said.

Fry's management team will be completed by Lil Fuccillo, the former Peterborough manager who was with him at his last club, Birmingham, and the previous Peterborough manager, Mick Halsall.

Derby County, the Premiership newcomers, are set to add the Danish international right-back Jacob Laursen to their growing foreign legion. The Rams, who yesterday completed the pounds 950,000 signing of the Croatian midfielder, Aljosa Asanovic, from Hadjuk Split, have agreed a fee of pounds 500,000 with Silkeborg for the versatile 24-year-old.

Leicester City, also promoted to Premiership after winning the play-off against Crystal Palace, have begun a clear-out, with their manager Martin O'Neill giving Mark Blake, Phil Gee and Paul Bedder free transfers while Jamie Lawrence has been transfer-listed.

Ray Clemence, who took Barnet close to the Third Division play-offs in his first full season as manager, has agreed new terms with the club even though it means accepting a pay cut. The former England goalkeeper has agreed fresh terms which are now performance-related.