Bahrain Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Khalifa confirmed to the Stock Exchange on Tuesday that he was "exploring a number of options to assist" troubled English Premier-ship club Leeds United.

The Elland Road side are 78 million pounds (135 million dollars) in debt and warned last week they are on the brink of administration.

In a statement released to the London Stock Exchange, Sheikh Abdulrahman confirmed rumours that he may come to the club's financial rescue.

"Further to recent press speculation and comments attributed to His Excellency, the Sheikh confirms that he is at an early stage in exploring a number of options to assist the Company in its present financial position that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the Company's issued share capital.

"A further announcement will be made as appropriate."

The Sheikh, a member of Bahrain's royal family and a long-time Leeds fan, confirmed to AFP on Saturday that he was part of a group of investors from the Gulf involved in the venture and expected the deal to be completed within a week.

"It's a group of investors from the Gulf, not just Bahrain, that I am leading and that will take over the English club," he said in a telephone interview.

He did not however give any figures on the buyout although London's Daily Mirror said the Yorkshire outfit was offered for 20 million pounds (34 million dollars).

"I prefer not to give a figure because the club is heavily indebted and is looking to be rescued and that's what I am trying to do.

"My relations with the club go back 25 years and I am saddened by the current situation since they are bottom of the Premiership," said the Sheikh who is also chairman of Bahraini side Al-Najma.

And he insisted that the club's top players will not be sold if he takes over.

"Alan Smith and all the jewels of the club will not be sold off - they are the heart of Leeds United," the Sheikh told the BBC Sport website.

"I am still hurting over the sale of Jonathan Woodgate."

Leeds made no official comment on Tuesday but earlier in the week described the Sheikh's reported interest as "pure speculation".

If the Sheikh does inject money into Leeds, he will follow in the footsteps of Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich who in July paid 230 million dollars for London-based club Chelsea -- small change for a man reported by Forbes magazine this year to be worth 5.7 billion dollars.

Chelsea immediately went on a spending spree, signing big-name players including Juan Sebastian Veron, Hernan Crespo and Damien Duff. They went top of the Premiership at the weekend and have qualified for the next phase of the Champions League.

Leeds, who in the 2000-2001 season made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, are currently bottom of the English Premiership and without a permanent manager following the sacking of Peter Reid last month.

In the last financial year, the club registered a loss of just under 50 million pounds, the largest ever for a quoted English football club.

The club is now facing the prospect of relegation to the first division, an outcome which, refinancing package or not, would almost certainly force the club into administration and could even see it wound up entirely.