John Jay Moores "optimistic" Nottingham Forest takeover is close

A general view of The City Ground prior to the npower Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Bristol City at The City Ground on April 7, 2012
© Getty Images
American businessman John Jay Moores is "optimistic" that his protracted takeover of Championship club Nottingham Forest is close to being completed.

American businessman John Jay Moores has said that he is "optimistic" that his protracted takeover of Nottingham Forest will be completed soon.

Moores and long-time business partner Charles Noell have been in talks to buy the Championship outfit since October, but discussions have repeatedly been delayed.

It was hoped that the reported £50m purchase of the club would be completed today, but a number of relatively minor details are yet to be agreed upon.

"I am optimistic that we will close soon. But nothing definitive," Moores, a former owner of Major League Baseball franchise San Diego Padres, told MLB.com.

Moores and Noell have previously tried and failed with takeover attempts at Everton and Swansea City.

Forest currently find themselves 20th in the Championship table, just two points clear of the relegation zone following a run of five defeats and one draw from their last six games.

Joey Barton of Burnley tackles Henri Lansbury of Nottingham Forest during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Burnley at City Ground on October 20, 2015 in Nottingham, England.
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17Queens Park RangersQPR2695122536-1132
18Cardiff CityCardiff2586113040-1030
19Bristol City2683153538-327
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2676133745-827
21Burton Albion2667132636-1025
22Blackburn RoversBlackburn2666143143-1224
23Wigan AthleticWigan2657142231-922
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