LEEDS fans were hopeful of a resolution to their ownership crisis as an agreement was reached in principle with suspended owner Massimo Cellino on Saturday for Leeds Fans United to purchase a majority stake in their club.

Tweeting yesterday, the supporters’ group said that their sale of shares had rocketed after their announcement of a possible takeover: “We’ve sold more shares between 6pm yesterday and 12 noon today than on launch day. More info to come next week. Thanks for all your support.”

Cellino (pictured) is currently appealing against a second Football League suspension for breach of the owners and directors test due to being found guilty of non-payment of VAT in his native Italy.

He was previously suspended after being found guilty of tax avoidance.

The under-fire owner met with fans on Friday to discuss calls for him to quit the Yorkshire club and told the BBC: “100 per cent I will sell to the fans, if they want to buy it and look after the club. The fans are the only asset the club has.”

Leeds Fans United was formed earlier in the year with the aim of purchasing a minority stake in the Elland Road-based club.

Chief executive of the group Dylan Thwaites said: “An acquisition of this size and nature has never before been completed by fans in the UK and we will be evaluating everything over the next few days and consulting widely with our teams.”