Asian-facing online gambling operator K8 Group is backing a bid to acquire UK footballers Wigan Athletic.

On Sunday, UK media reported that an unidentified group of Chinese investors was prepping a £15m bid to acquire Wigan Athletic Football Club, which currently plays in League One, the third tier of UK football. On Wednesday, The Sun reported that the bidders were the same folks behind the Philippines-based, UK-licensed uk-K8.com online gambling site.

K8 Group CEO Vincent Huang has reportedly visited the Manchester area to firm up the acquisition plans following the necessary due diligence. The deal will require the approval of the Football League.

K8 already has firm ties to UK football, having inked a shirt deal with English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in 2016. This year saw K8 further burnish its EPL presence by inking official betting partnerships with both Manchester City and Cardiff City FC.