The man hoping to take over Watford has confirmed he did consider making an offer for Blackburn Rovers prior to the Venky's deal being completed last year.

Laurence Bassini and his close friend Panos Thomas are the potential investors currently in talks with Watford's major shareholders over a potential takeover.

This is the first time Thomas and Bassini have entered into business together but Bassini has considered acquiring a football club in the past.

Bassini is a client of city investment bank Seymour Pierce which chairman is former Football League chairman Keith Harris and has been involved in a number of high-profile takeovers including Roman Abramovich to Chelsea, Thaksin Shinawatra to Manchester City and Carston Yeung's takeover of Birmingham City.

Bassini is also friends with high-profile football agent Jerome Anderson and it was he who introduced him to Blackburn Rovers prior to its recent takeover.

Bassini said: “I was offered Blackburn Rovers, as Jerome Anderson is a good friend of mine, and I went to see some games there. There was talk of it but I decided that I wanted to be near London.

“Also I have lived near Watford all my life, it is a family club and it has that warm feeling to it. For me it is nice to be involved with this club. It has that family feel and I am into that.

“It has the family atmosphere, the people here are good people,” Bassini continued.

“I see there is a future to be built here, there are things that can be done. I can't answer that now because of the takeover code.

“But I see a future and I want to build the club going forward, to make it better than it has been.”

Bassini, who has a seven-year-old daughter, describes himself as not only a football fan but also a Watford supporter.

He said: “I am a football fan, I like watching all sorts of teams but I am a Watford fan. I am here and supporting Watford. I have gone to all their games this season.

“I always watched Watford as a kid. I used to go and watch the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal – I am a football fan. I watch lots of clubs.”