Paulo Sousa has declared he can guarantee he will get Leicester City into the Premier League in the next two years.

Sousa, who took over as City boss just a couple of weeks ago, announced yesterday that it would take a "maximum" of two years to fulfil his goal.

"This is a club with only one direction," the former Portugal international said.

"Sometimes it takes a little time but I can guarantee to everyone that, in two years time maximum, we will be in the Premier League.

"We want to fight this season right away, of course, but in a maximum of two years we will be there.

"Of course, with a new manager, new ideas and a different style, it can cost us a little time, but I think everyone is very enthusiastic, not just the players but the staff and the fans because they want the club to be in the Premier League where they belong."

Sousa's confidence will fuel speculation that City owner Milan Mandaric is close to agreeing a deal with the Far Eastern consortium who have been considering investing in the club, and that the manager will then be handed significant transfer funds.

So far, Sousa has been looking to strength his squad only through Bosman signings and loans as City look to curtail the club's growing debt, which currently stands at just under £26million. The debt is underwritten by Mandaric.

However, representatives from the consortium were at the Walkers Stadium yesterday, the Mercury understands.

The group, who are believed to represent an Indonesian consortium, apparently met Mandaric for further talks and to view the facilities again.

Mandaric recently rubbished reports that he had agreed to sell 49 per cent of the club to the consortium, with a view to selling all his shares to them at a later date, and he said a deal was not imminent.

Mandaric has made no secret of his desire to attract an investment partner to help ease the financial burden on himself and inject funds to help Sousa take City into the Premier League.

Sousa's declaration may be an indication that he has been promised transfer cash, although he stated he believes his current squad is already strong.

"We have good quality and a good standard," he added on www.lcfc.com.

"We have some departments we want to improve and that is something that is going to happen in the next few weeks.

"We have a long way to go and we know the Championship is very tough for everyone.

"This season it will be more balanced than the last season. For that we need to be prepared the best we can and to finish better than last season."