Cardiff boss makes exit warning

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Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has warned he could walk away from the club if the proposed takeover deal fails.

Former chairman and major shareholder Sam Hammam has not yet sold his controlling stake, despite agreeing in October to relinquish control.

The deal would wipe out Cardiff's £24m debt and provide Jones with funds for new players in the transfer window.

And when asked if he would consider his future at Cardiff if the takeover failed, he said: "Of course I would."

Hammam reluctantly agreed to sell his 82.5% stake in the club after acknowledging he had taken the club as far as he could.

The Lebanese-born businessman's dream was to build a new 30,000-seater stadium for the club, but he failed to convince Cardiff Council he could finance the project.

I'm 100% behind what Peter's done and what he hopefully will do Cardiff manager Dave Jones

Since Hammam's decision to sell, the stadium project has made significant strides forward with council backing a plan put together by the consortium hoping to buy the club.

More importantly in the short term, the new investors - led by Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale - have promised to release significant funds for Jones to strengthen his threadbare squad.

But negotiations between the club and Hammam appear to have hit a hitch, although neither side are commenting publicly.

Jones said the promise of a cash injection in January and a new stadium to follow were crucial in his decision to commit himself to Cardiff, and he admitted the delay was cause for concern.

"Peter persuaded me to stay at this football club not so long ago," said Jones.

"He sold me the dream and he's promised me that everything is in place - it just needs the final tick in the box.

"I was sold the dream and I'm sure one or two of the players were also sold the dream so they must be concerned as well with what's going on.

"I don't know the full story so it's very difficult for me to talk about it, but the one thing I'll categorically say is that I'm 100% behind what Peter's done and what he hopefully will do."

Neither the club or Hammam are commenting publicly on the current situation, but BBC Wales Sport understands there are intense negotiations going on to try to reach an agreement.

The proposed deal will put before shareholders at an EGM on 12 January for approval.

There have been suggestions that the club would go into administration if the takeover is rejected.