Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has said he has no intention of selling the club after rejecting a £50 million offer for a stake, Press Association Sport has reported.
It said Gibson, who saved Boro from the brink of financial ruin in 1986, is not interested either in a full sale or a partnership, but is open to potential new commercial avenues.
Sources on Teesside said Gibson and consultant Peter Kenyon met Chinese businessman Chien Lee, whose OGC Nice Investment Group Ltd owns French club Nice, and associates in October.
An offer of around £50m was made for a 50 percent stake in the club, promoted to the Premier League last season, but swiftly rejected.