West Brom set to become the first Chinese owned Premier League side… and Hull could soon make it two

WEST BROM are set to become the first Chinese owned Premier League side – and Hull could soon make it two.

Baggies owner Jeremy Peace has agreed to sell a controlling 88 per cent of the club to an investment group headed by Guochuan Lai.

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And a second consortium, led by Nice owner Chien Lee, are now also in talks with Prem crisis club Hull.

The newly-promoted Tigers have made a solid start to the campaign under stand-in boss Mike Phelan despite a tumultuous pre-season that saw Steve Bruce resign, leaving behind a paper-thin squad.

No agreement has yet been struck but Lee jetted in to East Yorkshire to meet with current chief Assem Allam.

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The deal to buy West Brom – which is believed to be worth around £175million – is expected to be rubber-stamped by league officials on Wednesday.

It is understood Peace is to stay on at the Hawthorns as a consultant until the end of the season.

But boss Tony Pulis’ future is less clear following his public spat with the Baggies board over the club’s summer transfer business.

Championship teams Aston Villa and Wolves are already under Chinese ownership - and are set to spend big in pursuit of promotion to the top flight.