Director of Football Operations at Reading Football Club, Mark Bowen, admitted that he now has 'renewed hope' that takeover talks can progress.

Fans have spent seven months protesting against Dai Yongge, with a bid close to being accepted before Christmas before late changes saw the party pull out.

Unable, or unwilling, to finance the club any further, proceedings came to a head of steam on Saturday as thousands of supporters invaded the pitch on Saturday to get the match against Port Vale abandoned.

Speaking to the local media on-record for the first time in over 18 months, the former manager and player confirmed that as many as four parties have signed non-disclosure agreements connected to bids for the Royals.

"My understanding is that there are two, three, four parties involved at the minute showing a keen interest, but they have non-disclosure agreements," Bowen admitted. "I get the feeling that the resolve of the owner is strengthened to say, ‘okay let’s do this.’ There is renewed hope. It has been a rollercoaster. Two or three months ago we thought a deal was agreed but it fell through. I have renewed hope that we are heading down the right lines."