The chief executive of Leeds Fans Utd (LFU) said yesterday that he hopes to agree a period of exclusivity shortly in order to work out a deal to purchase the club.

Dylan Thwaites is fronting the supporters’ group which current majority owner Massimo Cellino has said he will sell his stake to.

The Italian has yet to name his price for the Elland Road club he bought in April 2014 and there are reports other potential bidders have expressed an interest since Cellino announced his decision to sell to the fans on Friday.

But it is understood Cellino wants to hand over his shares in order to have a “legacy” at the end of a tumultuous time in charge of the club and Thwaites says he hopes to have a period of exclusivity agreed soon.

He said: “At our meeting on Friday Massimo was absolutely clear that he was only selling to fans. Indeed, when we asked if we could involve any of the other third parties we have been working with, he was adamant that he would only sell to Leeds fans. This clearly gives us an exclusive position. Of course, as professionals we need this signing and we expect to have that shortly.”

Cellino’s Elland Road reign — which has seen him employ six managers — has been littered with unfathomable about-turns and outspoken outbursts, lending weight to the theory the 59-year-old could decide to sell the club to someone other than the fans.

Thwaites, though, believes the former Cagliari owner will be a man of his word.

“We have found all of our dealings with Cellino to be straightforward and we don’t go along with the stereotype some people seem to have of him,” he added.

“I think he will have noted the massive upturn in positivity that his decision to sell to us has created and will not want Leeds to return to the dark place it was in just a few days ago.”