JD Sports to take over Powerleague?

JD Sports could be set to launch a takeover bid for Powerleague, Britain's biggest chain of five-a-side football centres, but has declined to comment on the rumours.

It is said to be taking advice from bankers at Investec to takeover the business.

Powerleague, chaired by Claude Littner, has however already agreed a takeover from Patron Capital, which is its biggest shareholder. Shareholders are due to make a decision at the company