IPSWICH Town have dismissed speculation that Graeme Souness is interested in taking over the club.The ex-Scotland international and Liverpool, Newcastle and Rangers manager was an interested spectator at Town's Coca-Cola Championship game at Preston North End on Tuesday.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town have dismissed speculation that Graeme Souness is interested in taking over the club.

The ex-Scotland international and Liverpool, Newcastle and Rangers manager was an interested spectator at Town's Coca-Cola Championship game at Preston North End on Tuesday.

He has a brief to take over a club with potential at Championship level and Ipswich - with their £36million debt - is believed to be in his sights.

But a Blues spokesman said today: “We have had no contact with Graeme Souness.”

Souness has the necessary backing and he still has a £20million offer on the table to take over Wolverhampton.

And he has £13million ready to invest into Southampton - one of the clubs he also managed.

Ipswich's financial position, which limits their ability to bolster their playing squad, is such that they would have to show interest in any form of investment into the club.

Chairman David Sheepshanks has confirmed that moves are afoot to improve the situation and talks have taken place with Town's main lenders in a bid to substantially improve the debt position.

If this comes off - with a estimated £20million possibly coming off the debt - Ipswich would be ripe and would benefit from a cash windfall.

Souness' business partner is Brian Kennedy, who already owns rugby league club Sale Sharks.

Preston is not a club mentioned as one Souness is interested in - and sources say he was taking the opportunity to see what Ipswich have to offer on the pitch.