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49ers ownership to be short-lived as Leeds United takeover rumour re-emerges in France
Leeds United have endured a very difficult campaign, with the worrying situation at Elland Road to get even should the Whites be relegated from the Premier League.
They go into the final day of the campaign with their top flight status in real danger, with the club currently sitting 19th in the table, two points from safety.
There has at least been some positive news away from the pitch, with owner Andrea Radrizzani working hard behind the scenes to forge a deal with 49ers Enterprises to become the new owners at Elland Road.
But even that looks set to all come crashing down if the West Yorkshire outfit are relegated on Sunday.
There is, however, another twist in the saga, with French newspaper L’Equipe reporting (25 May) that Radrizzani has partnered with Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) in his bid to buy Italian club Sampdoria.
The French newspaper added that Sampdoria “won’t be the only club in which QSI will take minority or majority shares by the end of the year, but it is on track to be the third in a desired galaxy. Massimo Ferrero, the owner of Sampdoria, is in advanced discussions with QSI.
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“The Qatari fund is not alone in this case and will join forces with ASER Ventures, owner of Leeds United, whose shareholder, Andrea Radrizzani, wishes to take a majority stake in the Genoa club.
“QSI would then have the minority in this business but would associate with an important partner while certain rumours indicate that QSI could, in the long term, invest in Leeds.”
So, while missing out on a 49ers ownership would be a massive blow for Leeds, they could bounce back with long-term investment from QSI, who are an offset of QIA – valued at a whopping $475billion (£384billion).
Radrizzani has very close ties with Qatari businessman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who owns PSG and beIN SPORTS, with the pair doing business together previously, which should be welcome news to Leeds supporters.
In other Leeds United news, Chris Sutton has predicted the result of the match between the Whites and Tottenham on Sunday (28 May).