Barry Hearn is in talks with Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti over the sale of Leyton Orient.

Hearn has been owner at Brisbane Road since 1995 and put the club up for sale as long ago as 2009.

A proposed takeover came to nothing then, and Hearn went on to wage a long and unsuccessful battle against West Ham's sole occupancy of the Olympic Stadium.

The latest disucussions were revealed in a short statement on the League One club's website weeks after defeat in the League One play-off final.

It read: "Orient can confirm that chairman Barry Hearn is in talks with Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti regarding the sale of his shareholding in the club.

"The sale is subject to due diligence and Football League approval and the club will not be making any further comment at this stage."