BURNLEY’S operational director Brendan Flood insists the Clarets are not up for sale – but revealed that the club would welcome mega-bucks investment to help realise their Premier League ambitions.

The ambitious multi-millionaire property developer made his comments after admitting to a Dubai-based publication that he is seeking a ‘super-sized investor’ to develop the Clarets on and off the pitch.

With the Abu Dhabi United Group buying out Manchester City – and Newcastle and Liverpool re-newing their interest with potential UAE investors - a scramble has emerged among top English clubs to lure backers from the oil-rich Gulf.

And Flood, a lifelong Burnley fan, does not want to see the Clarets get left behind as they embark on one of their most exciting periods in the club’s 126-year history.

The Rossendale-based businessman, who made his money as managing director of urban regeneration giants Modus Properties, is dipping into his own personal fortune to help fund a sensational £20m upgrade of Turf Moor.

However, he is interested in attracting domestic or foreign investment to finance the project, and give Burnley a financial advantage over their rivals.

“While we have a strong board, the club will always be open to financially stronger, strategic investors who may give us an advantage over our competitors,” said Flood, who made clear that Burnley was not up for sale.

“Outside of the big four, there are football clubs both in Premiership and Championship who are constantly aware of the increasing demands up on their finances to compete as a global business, as English football is the premier environment for the football world.

“In discussing our ambitions with the Arabian business press, we are making sure that Burnley is a forward thinking club and a viable option for strategic investors.”

Outlining Burnley’s ambition to compete with English football’s big-hitters, Flood told Dubai-based magazine Arabian Business: “It’s a club with super-sized ambition and we need an investor with a super-sized cheque book. It could help fulfil a lot for us.”

The Clarets insist that the re-development of Turf Moor is not dependant on attracting wealthy new investors.

The plans - which include the construction of a 2,500-seat stand to replace the Cricket Field stand, and a new relocated players’ dressing room and hospitality block - were initially hoped to be completed by 2010.

But the project has been hindered by the current economic downturn, as the club evaluate the design and revenue possibilities of the new stand developement to ensure the building is profitable.