Talks between the owner of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and a UAE consortium that wants to buy it have reached stalemate, according to reports.

The Daily Telegraph reported at the weekend that hopes a Middle Eastern investor could rescue DSA are fading after owner Peel Group said it couldn’t verify where the money was coming from.

The Telegraph said a businessman from Ajman, Mahmood Khaleel Al Hashmi, is leading the consortium, and his lawyers said they have confirmed proof of funds.

The Telegraph added: “Part of Peel’s concerns are understood to relate to continued relations between companies in Ajman, where Mr Al Hashmi operates, and Russian businesses following the invasion of Ukraine.”

A representative for the investor told the Telegraph the consortium isn’t interested in bidding unless Peel allows it to conduct further due diligence, and denied Russian money was involved.

He said that the consortium remains ‘on standby’ but that it has not yet put forward a firm bid.

A Judicial Review of the closure is expected to begin this week following a legal challenge by the local council.

Mayor Ros Jones has said she would look at a compulsory purchase of the airport, and that planning permission did not allow for the site to be used for other purposes.

Peel Group hasn’t commented.

Campaigners say they’ve been told the talks are on-going and are not giving up the fight to save the airport.