The 10^th richest man in China William Ding Lei has emerged as a leading prospective buyer of English professional football club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It is believed that around 30 or 40 parties around the world have expressed interest in purchasing the team. The team's Chief executive Jez Moxey has, however, trimmed the number down to just ten. The Chinese billionaire is said to be on the top of the shortlist of the potential buyer of the club.

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In the 2015 Forbes China Rich List, Ding is named the tenth richest Chinese national with an estimated net worth of $7.5 billion dollars. The 44-year old self-made billionaire is the founder and CEO of the Chinese internet technology and on-line game star NetEase.

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands.  The club is currently competing in the Football League Championship which is the second highest tier of English football after having been promoted from League One in 2014.

All the parties have reportedly signed a non-disclosure agreements and the football club refuses to comment on any speculation, choosing to keep all business discussions as private as possible until a deal is already signed.

Steve Morgan, the team owner, has remained silent and is yet to speak publicly about his real reasons for quitting as chairman and his decision to sell the club.

In a shock move, Morgan, an English businessman and philanthropist, put the club up for sale in late September after eight years at the helm.

Other potential buyers of the team include an American consortium headed by former players Robbi Keane and Kevin Muscat, as well as property entrepreneur siblings Simon Reuben and David.

Wolves currently ranks 16^th place in the Championship, nine points from a playoff spot.

TagsChinas richest men 2015, William Ding Lei, Football