SPORTS agent Base Group said it was considering the future of its football arm following a slump in the transfer market.

The firm, which has clients including TV pundit Terry Venables, Leeds United's Australian star Harry Kewell and Middlesbrough striker Michael Ricketts, has plummeted further into the red.

It warned the depressed business environment was likely to continue, with further consolidation in the football industry likely to result.

Among options now being considered by Base is the merger or sale of its football business to another company in the sector. It is also looking to bolster the group with acquisitions in areas outside football.

Announcing preliminary results for the 14 months to February 28, Base said its performance had been hit by the weakness of the football transfer market.

The figures showed Base made operating losses, before one-off costs, of £593,000 on turnover of £1.5m. Exceptional charges included restructuring costs for a strategic review undertaken this year.