Birmingham City have ended discussions with Carson Yeung regarding a possible takeover of the club. The Hong Kong business guru acquired a 29.9% stake in the club in July through his company Grandtop International Holdings. A deadline of 21^st December was set to complete a buy out of the club.

Birmingham have since informed the Stock Exchange that all such talks have been terminated. Any takeover of the club has now been ruled out until next summer at the earliest. 

"The company announces that it has terminated discussions with Grandtop International Holdings as the directors are no longer confident that GIH will be able to make a general offer for the company," said a Birmingham statement.

"The directors confirm that they are not in discussions with any other potential offerors for the company."

Earlier in the season it was widely expected that Yeung would progress with the takeover. The speculation led to the departure of manager Steve Bruce from the club as his future seemed uncertain. Bruce has since taken up the job at Wigan where he looks to turn the fortunes of the struggling side. Early last month City owners expressed concern and doubt that the takeover would complete. Media speculation grew regarding interest from Russian billionaire Vagit Alekperov. However, the City owners also played down speculation.

The fracas has ultimately been damaging for the club. 5 months of insecurity have not helped matters on or off the pitch. It cost Birmingham a determined manager and assistant and also led to a drop in share value. It now seems Yeung will sell his stake back to the club in the summer period. At todays rate he faces a loss of £6m on his purchase price for his uncertainty.