Gianni Paladini ups Birmingham City offer to £30m

Former Queens Park Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has reportedly increased his offer to buy Birmingham City.

The Italian is fronting a consortium that originally declared their interest in taking over the Championship outfit with a £25m bid in September.

It is now believed that the group has returned with a bid in the region of £30m, as they attempt to buy out troubled Blues owner Carson Yeung.

The 52-year-old businessman, who gained control of Birmingham in 2009, is currently in Hong Kong awaiting trial on money-laundering charges.

Acting City chairman Peter Pannu recently revealed that talks were taking place with two unnamed groups, despite the club not officially being up for sale.