Michael Bailey Norwich City could be taken over by current Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and David Gold in the next 12 months, according to one national newspaper.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City could be taken over by current Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and David Gold in the next 12 months, according to one national newspaper.

The two businessmen are currently in negotiations over the sale of the St Andrew's club to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung and Sullivan admitted to The Guardian he would look to get back involved in football within a year of things being signed off at Birmingham.

That could mean buying out Norwich City's majority shareholders, Michael Wynn Jones and Delia Smith, in exchange for control at Carrow Road, although other clubs have caught the eye.

Gold and Sullivan are holding exploratory talks with a number of clubs they may look to take over, of which West Ham have the highest profile.

But with the Hammers likely to cost up to �150m, both Birmingham owners have concerns over the financial burden of taking over at Upton Park.

Therefore, clubs in the Football League level also appeal to Gold and Sullivan where a lower initial outlay could arguably lead to greater returns, with Sullivan's hometown club Cardiff City and the Canaries - a club he is said to hold in high regard - in the running.

In fact it is understood the pair enquired about the situation at Carrow Road when Yeung first proposed his takeover of St Andrew's, which ultimately fell through just before Christmas 2007.

The current Norwich owners priced the club at �56m when Peter Cullum declared his interest in investing in Norwich, and although three new board members were appointed during the summer, fresh money into the Carrow Road coffers has been in short supply.

Sullivan, who is looking buying a club either with or without Gold, said: “I have always said if and when I leave Birmingham I will be at another club within 12 months because I love football. It is part of my life and part of my kids' life.

“I think for the shareholders and supporters of Birmingham this is a very good deal,” added Sullivan. “It's like a marriage that is gone wrong and needs a change. This is a deal that works for everybody.”

Sullivan, 60, is worth around �450m according to the Sunday Times Rich List having made his millions in British adult movies and as a newspaper proprietor - but nothing is likely to be taken further be either him or Gold until Yeung's takeover is completed, which could happen next month.