Orient chairman denies knowledge of Napoli proposal

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn says Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has not contacted him over taking a stake in the club.

A number of conflicting reports have suggested that the Italian film mogul is keen on either purchasing the League One side or creating a link similar to that shared by Udinese and Watford.

However, Hearn has now insisted no approach has been made by the Naples club regarding such a proposal – although he did admit a willingness to discuss the possibility of investment.

“I’ve haven’t had contact about any of this. I’ve read it on my Twitter account what’s happening with Napoli but unless someone’s not telling the chairman then I’ve no knowledge of anything at all,” he told OMNISPORT.

“It’s confusing to read because if there’s any business out there we’d always like to talk to people who have got an interest in seeing the club go forward but I’ve had no contact at all.

“I don’t know what the proposition is. The Twitter account said they want some sort of relationship but we don’t know if they’re buying but if there’s a way of getting players and improving the team then of course I’d sit down and talk to anyone about that. But it sounds like paper talk.

“I don’t necessarily welcome the investment but I welcome anything that is to the benefit of my football club.”

Championship outfit Watford loaned a number of players from Udinese and Granada – the other two clubs under the ownership umbrella of the Pozzo family – last season.

Leyton Orient finished seventh in the third tier of English football in 2012-13, narrowly missing out on a play-off place.