OXFORD United are attracting interest from foreign investors seeking to take over the club.

The Oxford Mail knows of two parties who have expressed their desire to get involved with the Sky Bet League One outfit.

It is believed a Chinese consortium were the first to emerge, but the other has yet to meet United chairman Darryl Eales, pictured right.

No deal for either, however, is imminent.

Rumours have been rife on social media over recent days, which has surprised Mr Eales.

“I am not sure from where the flurry of speculation has arisen as I have not received any offers for the club,” he told the Oxford Mail.

“Indeed, if there is a serious interest in the club, then I do not know of it as I have not spoken to or met with any such party.”

He added: “I have confirmed that it is very much business as usual with the focus on finishing the season well, our trip to Wembley and planning for next season.

“My notes on Tuesday (in the programme) also hopefully laid to rest any concerns over the playing budget.”

The second group is headed by Uruguayan Juan Sartori, 36, the son-in-law of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

Mr Rybolovlev is the chairman of Champions League quarter-finalists AS Monaco and in figures compiled by Forbes, the American business magazine, was ranked 190th on a list of the world’s richest men with an estimated worth of around $7.3 billion.

In February 2016, it was reported the 50-year-old was set to buy a 20 per cent stake in Reading, but the deal did not materialise.

Mr Sartori was in attendance at Tuesday night’s home game with Bolton Wanderers, watching from an executive box.

Interestingly, the link with Mr Sartori is somebody known to United supporters – Jean-Marc Goiran, the man who was instrumental in bringing Ramon Diaz and his management team to the club in 2004 under the chairmanship of Firoz Kassam.

Mr Goiran, who was at the game with his Monaco-based acquaintance, held talks about taking over the club in 2005, but his stay at Oxford ended badly after a fall-out with Mr Kassam. Mr Eales, however, was not at the Bolton match.

United’s owner had been in Hong Kong helping a friend set up a new business in America, before flying to enjoy a five-day holiday in Abu Dhabi. He returns to England today.

However, if a deal can be struck – and it would appear there is still a long way to go before any agreement is put in place – it is not certain whether the U’s chairman will remain at the club in some capacity or if he would relinquish all control.

Since taking charge in July 2014, Mr Eales has overseen a dramatic rise in fortunes for United, which has seen the club secure a promotion, two trips to Wembley and a number of victories over higher-ranked teams in cup competitions.

The U’s are well on course to finish in the top 10 of League One in their first season back in the third tier of English football for 15 years.

But in order to take the club to the next level, the Championship, Eales stated in January he would welcome any additional financial help.

“What I’ve always said from day one is, if I can find a financial partner that could assist me, I would welcome them with open arms,” he commented.

“I want to, as far I can, contribute to us building future sustainable success in the Championship. Additional investment enables us to be more competitive.

“It’s quite a big financial burden when you’re considering it on your own and they say the challenge becomes even greater, the higher you climb.”

Further talk amongst United supporters has centred around former owner Mr Kassam, who has been seen at two recent home games, including Saturday’s victory over Scunthorpe United.

However, his attendance at the match against Bristol Rovers on March 4 followed a meeting with supporters’ trust OxVox, while at the weekend he was hosting a birthday party for his son and several of his friends.