The Italian business newspaper said that Sawiris, the majority owner and executive chairman of Orascom Telecom, is supported by his family in his bid to take over the club.

It cited no sources though.

Roma have been put up for sale last month as part of a proposed deal between the club's owners and creditor bank UniCredit to wipe out debts.

Rosella Sensi, president of Roma's majority owner Italpetroli, is running the club until a buyer is found.

Sawiris was linked with a similar takeover in 2008 but denied that he was interested in buying the three-time Italian champions.

He said he would rather turn his attention to Egyptian champions Ahli if he was interested in entering the football field.

Italian pharmaceutical magnate Francesco Angelini was also reported to have expressed an interest in buying Roma.

Businessmen Mohamed Al-Fayed and Maged Sami are the only Egyptians who own foreign clubs.

Al-Fayed owns English Premier League side Fulham while Sami owns Belgian side Lierse SK.