EX-SOUTHAMPTON chairman Nicola Cortese is rumoured to be looking to return to English football, according to reports.

The Yorkshire Evening Post said it has been told the Italian banker is considering fronting a bid for Leeds United due to the uncertainty over the club’s ownership.

Massimo Cellino, who owns 77 per cent of Leeds, has been disqualified from running the club by the Football League due to a conviction for tax evasion in Italy last June.

He confirmed he would appeal the ban but has also stated he intends to sell his shared following a meeting with fans’ groups.

Cortese oversaw the purchase of Saints by Markus Liebherr in summer 2009 and was then appointed executive chairman of the club.

During his time at the club Saints won the Football League Trophy in 2010 before gaining back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League via the Championship under Nigel Adkins.

He was also instrumental in replacing Adkins with Mauricio Pochettino who led Saints to a joint-best ever Premier League finish of 8th.

But Cortese resigned in January 2014 and was replaced by Katharina Liebherr, daughter of the late Markus.