Russian businessman still eyes Saab stake -report

STOCKHOLM Dec 16 (Reuters) - Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov said he still hoped to become an owner of Sweden's Saab, now owned by Dutch sportscar maker Spyker (SPYKR.AS), according to a report in a Swedish newspaper.

Antonov was ousted from the original deal with General Motors (GM.N) earlier this year claiming he faced "surreal allegations of alleged 'economic crimes', 'money laundering' and other false horror stories". [ID:nLDE61I12Z]

Instead he lent 100 million euros ($133.2 million) to Spkyer and employed private investigators to prove he was suitable to return as a shareholder in the newly formed group.

Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet said Antonov had commissioned a report by consultants IPSA International and that the report had found no criminal activity linked to Antonov.

"We are currently negotiating with GM on various possibilities," Antonov was quoted as saying when asked whether he was still interested in buying into Saab.

Antonov said he had confidence in Saab's future, despite a reduction in the sales forecast for 2010. (Reporting by Patrick Lannin; Editing by Mike Nesbit)