London:
Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has claimed that a top English football club is planning to bid for an IPL team but the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have denied any such interest.
"There is a very famous football club in the UK very interested in bidding. (They are) probably one of the most famous football clubs probably top three. They are interested in taking a stake," Modi told 'The Times'.
Manchester United quickly clarified that they were not keen on any such move while Chelsea's name was shot down by Modi himself.
The likes of Liverpool and Arsenal are in debt and unsure about their long-term ownership, ruling out any such move from them. Manchester City, a club acquired by Gulf-based owners, may be interested but a team official denied that Modi could be referring to them.
The IPL will include two new teams from the 2011 season and these will be auctioned before this year's edition starting March 12.
The franchise rights' base price has been set at USD 225 million and potential investors could make their first move as early as this week.