AN ARGENTINIAN consortium has stepped up its interest in buying St Mirren, with caretaker manager Gary Teale revealing he felt "good vibes" during a meeting with them.
The group, thought to include Buenos Aires businessman Ricardo Pini and Neil Murray, the former Rangers player, have turned their sights on the Paisley club after being thwarted in their attempts to take over Motherwell.
Despite chairman Stewart Gilmour's absence - he is on an extended overseas holiday - initial talks are thought to have progressed well, although a formal bid is yet to be tabled. A group of directors, including Gilmour, put their combined 52% shareholding in the club up for sale five years ago but, despite interest from various parties during that period, have not come close to a sale.
Pini, who, alongwith his brother Sebastian, controlled the Chilean club Rangers until the summer, is said to be the man leading the South American takeover attempt. They spent some time this week being shown around St Mirren Park and the club's training ground in Ralston, and talking to key personnel.
"I met them on Wednesday and had a good conversation with them for an hour or so," revealed Teale. "They wanted an insight into the club from a player's and a coach's point of view, in terms of taking things forward.
"They seemed very positive and came across well in terms of how they would promote the club and how they saw it moving forward. I got good vibes from them in terms of the positivity that they are bringing."
John White of the St Mirren Independent Supporters Association said: "We would be keen to meet and understand the desire and intentions of any new owners and how they foresee the development of St Mirren."
ends
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