There is continued speculation that Bernie Ecclestone could purchase Arsenal Football Club, with the F1 supremo now admitting that he is considering such a deal.

Following a burst of media activity in July, there was renewed speculation last week when Ecclestone and (Renault boss) Flavio Briatore were linked with west London club, Queens Park Ranger. Although Briatore now does look likely to get involved - he and Ecclestone were close to purchasing Chelsea before Roman Abramovich stepped in - Bernie is still linked with the former south London outfit.

Arsenal has been the subject of constant speculation following an internal feud which saw the departure of vice-chairman David Dein, whose son, Gavin, is dating Ecclestone's oldest daughter, Tamara.

Talking to the News of the World last month, Ecclestone didn't rule out a bid for the club: "If somebody offers me something I think has got good value, I will have a go," he said. "It's good if somebody is saying I have been linked with Arsenal. Maybe I will get approached. I'm interested in anything if it's cheap enough."

Ecclestone was also critical of the way the club had dealt with Dein, saying: "I obviously talked to David when they chucked him out, which I thought was a bit unnecessary."

However, if Ecclestone is to make a bid for the club it cannot happen until April 2008, when the current agreement by the club's directors to resist any form of takeover runs out.

"The directors at Arsenal don't want to sell and have signed a lockout agreement for a year," Ecclestone told The Times, "so we will have to wait and see what happens then.

"A lot can change in that time," he admitted. "I am still very interested. If I could buy Arsenal I would, but I would want control."

In other news… Tottenham Hotspur were unlucky yesterday, when Sunderland's Michael Chopra scored a late winner on the opening day of the new season.