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On a high after his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders' triumph in the Indian Premier League, actor Shah Rukh Khan is now planning to buy stake in Dempo, the country's top football club in recent years.
The Goan club's chairman, Srinivas Dempo, confirmed the development on Friday, saying he is hopeful of sealing the deal.
Dempo said the talks with Khan, who co-owns IPL-winning side Kolkata Knight Riders, are "progressing very well".
"We are discussing with Mr Shah Rukh Khan on his possible investment in the club, and the only thing I can say is that talks are progressing very well.
"His response has been very positive. Mr Khan is very passionate about football and, apart from just involving himself in Dempo, he wants to do something for Indian football. He said that football was his first love even before cricket," Dempo added.
Dempo would not elaborate on the details, but sources said Khan is in talks with the Goa-based I-League champion club for a while. They said Khan met Dempo quite a few times and is interested in acquiring 50 per cent stake in the club.
"Talks are on and he has also met the Dempo management, including the owner, a couple of times, but it is yet to be confirmed. Some things need to be worked out before finalizing the deal," a source said.
It is learnt that the club is keen on using Khan's name and popularity in promoting the I-League champions, who have been dominating Indian football for quite a while now.
The club recently bought a 34 per cent stake in leading Danish soccer club and academy FC Midtjylland, for 12 million euros.
On April 20, Dempo won the I-League for the fifth time, adding to their triumphs in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010.
They are also the only Indian club to make it to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, Asia's second tier club competition, in 2008.