Everton have formally disassociated themselves with claims they are about to be taken over by a Middle East consortium.

Chief executive Robert Elstone made it plain that no deal is being discussed by the Goodison Park club.

He said: "To suggest someone is working for us and that he is close to concluding any form of deal is totally wrong."

The speculation surfaced last night in the Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, the National, in which Chris Nathaniel, managing director of NVA Management, revealed that he had already met club officials to outline a possible offer from a United Arab Emirates consortium.

The National quoted Nathaniel as saying: "I can confirm I am acting on behalf of a UAE-based business consortium, who are chaired by a prominent Dubai businessman, and that I am currently in discussions with a number of Premier League clubs, one of which is Everton Football Club."

Nathaniel also said: "Lots of Middle East-based individuals and groups are approaching me about Premier League clubs. There is a real appetite in the region."

It was also outlined that the UAE bid would include a 'football village' around the stadium.

But Everton sources were quick to point out that should they win permission for a new stadium at Kirkby in partnership with Tesco, planning applications currently being considered by the Government make no provision for such a scheme to be included.

The Toffees have now issued an official statement on the subject, saying: "In the wake of reports in some morning newspapers, Everton Football Club wish to clarify the situation with regard to suggestions of a possible takeover by a United Arab Emirates-based business consortium.

"The reports, which originated in an Abu Dhabi newspaper, suggested that the managing director of NVA Management, Chris Nathaniel, was discussing with "a prominent Dubai businessman" a proposal to purchase a controlling interest in Everton Football Club."

The statement quoted Elstone, saying: "Mr Nathaniel rang me this morning to apologise profusely for the piece claiming that he had been misquoted.

"I had one, brief meeting with Mr Nathaniel a year ago and that is as far as it went. To suggest that he is working for us - and that he is close to concluding any form of deal - is totally wrong," he added."

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright told a meeting of the club's shareholders last week that the search for major financial investment was continuing but that nothing was imminent."