THE ISSA brothers have reportedly taken a major stake in sportswear brand Castore, making them the company's largest outside investors.

The Blackburn-based EG Group owners first invested in the company from March this year onwards through their Jersey-based company Monte Group, according to reports in The Times this week.

Castore, whose revenue is expected to reach £100 million this year, is currently partnered with tennis star Andy Murray and has a kit deal with Scottish Premiership champions Rangers FC.

Founded in 2015 by Thomas and Philip Beahon, Castore currently sells products in more than 50 countries worldwide and has stores on King's Road in London and within the Liverpool ONE scheme.

With the Issa brothers on board, The Times claims that the company now plans to relocate its current headquarters from Liverpool to Manchester.

The investment comes after a busy year for Blackburn-based Mohsin and Zuber Issa, with their £6.8 billion takeover of Asda on the verge of completion and ongoing efforts to purchase coffee chain Caffe Nero.

According to industry reports they will have to sell a number of forecourts in order to allay the Competition and Markets Authority's concerns that the takeover could limit competition in the sector before the Asda takeover is granted final approval.

Speaking at the time of the announcement, CMA senior director of mergers Joel Bamford said: "Our job is to protect consumers by making sure there continues to be strong competition between petrol stations, which leads to lower prices at the pump.

"These are two key players in the market, and it’s important that we thoroughly analyse the deal to make sure that people don’t end up paying over the odds."

The brothers however, have indicated that they would be willing to sell some of their forecourts in order to ensure the deal goes through.

Mohsin and Zuber Issa's representatives have been approached for comment on their investment in Castore.