JJB Sports founder Dave Whelan is in talks to buy the retailer's health club chain and JD Sports Fashion has bought a 10 per cent stake in its rival.
Whelan sold out of JJB Sports last year, but is believed to be in negotiations to buy its fitness club business at an expected cost of around£100 million, according to the Financial Times.
His potential interest came as JD Sports Fashion, which is understood to be interested in JJB's fashion chains such as Qube, disclosed its holding.
JD said: "JD has made this strategic investment in JJB because of its important place in the performance sports retail market."
It was revealed at the weekend that JJB has hired investment bank Lazard to find a buyer for the health clubs, and yesterday the retailer confirmed that it has received an offer for its Fitness Clubs business.
The Financial Times reported that Whelan will face little if any challenge to any bid he made, with rival chain Fitness First the only likely contender.
Should no acceptable offer be made, the business is likely to go to auction.
He previously expressed an interest in the health clubs, should they be sold, when he sold his remaining 29 per cent stake to current JJB chief executive Chris Ronnie last year.
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