Andrea Radrizzani could lose £270m as 49ers Enterprises value Leeds United at £150m if relegated
Andrea Radrizzani is facing losses of £270m if Leeds United are relegated, as the 49ers don’t want to pay more than £150m for a Championship club, according to the Daily Mail.
The 49ers Enterprises group currently own 44% of Leeds and have an option to take total control of the club that expires in January 2024, although they are expected to go through with the purchase this summer before the 2023/24 season starts.
But the £420m deal was initially agreed when Leeds finished 9th in the Premier League and the valuation was based on the club being established in the top flight.
Should they be relegated the deal would have to be renegotiated, and Daily Mail sources (18 April) state that they would not be willing to pay more than £150m to take control.
Radrizzani is not obliged to accept the offer and could opt to renegotiate any deal beyond the summer, but he has already admitted that he is looking to sell as he doesn’t have the funds to take Leeds where they want to be.
Boo hoo
If Leeds are to be relegated to the Championship, then the amount of money that the current owner makes from selling us on to 49ers would be the least of our worries.
We know there is a deal agreed and if we get relegated before they trigger their option, then it’s Radrizzani’s fault for not getting the managerial appointments and transfers right.
The performances on the pitch haven’t been anywhere near good enough so far this season, and even if we stay up it won’t have been an acceptable season.
It’s the right time for Radrizzani to go, and the fact he is considering a move to buy Inter Milan and talking about how he isn’t capable of taking us to the next level suggests he already has one foot out of the door at Leeds.
The 49ers are going to take us over in the summer whether we’re in the Premier League or the Championship, but for the good of the club and everyone involved we have to start waking up on the pitch to keep ourselves in the top flight.
In other Leeds news, a fresh twist in the pursuit of this “Incredible” winger.