Watford have reportedly ended negotiations with a consortium hoping to buy the club because the group was headed up by a convicted fraudster.

The Guardian claims Watford were in talks with a consortium of property specialists, bankers and former football executives regarding a possible takeover but that the club ended negotiations immediately when they found out a man calling himself Paul Anthony was in fact Paul Anthony Garland, who was jailed for two and a half years in 2006 after pleading guilty to 11 counts of obtaining money and property by deception.

It was also reported the consortium hoped to “exploit the council’s willingness for the club to move to an out-of-town stadium, while developing the Vicarage Road property”.

It is claimed the approach to Watford was made after talks with another Football League club broke down a month ago.

It is believed Watford are still in dialogue with at least one potential investor.