New rivals to Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Tom Brady? Wrexham & Birmingham's League One foes Leyton Orient close to £18m takeover with plans to start American football franchise in London

The O’s are currently competing alongside Wrexham and Birmingham in League One. They have seen famous investors at SToK Racecourse and St Andrew’s enjoy considerable success, while attracting a global audience to EFL action.

Orient plan to jump aboard that bandwagon, with The Guardian reporting that a US-based consortium are closing in on an £18 million ($23m) takeover. It has already been announced that exclusive negotiations have been opened regarding a potential change of ownership in east London.

It is claimed that said proposal includes the option for an American football franchise to be formed, which would operate in the European League of Football. That 16-team competition does not yet include a side from Great Britain.

Ambitious blueprints are being drawn up by TV executive David Gandler, a former Warner Bros executive and founder of fuboTV. Tech and sports entrepreneur Kit Hawkins, who owns a stake in the TMRW Golf League formed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is also involved. As is Neil Leibman, an executive at the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball franchise.

The Guardian admits that "it is unclear how far advanced the consortium’s multi-sport plans are", but NFL great Brady, alongside Hollywood stars Reynolds and McElhenney, are seeing another serious player join the English Football League ranks. Orient are also said to be drawing up plans for a new stadium and training facility – with similar work being overseen at Wrexham as they take aim at promotion into the Championship.