Leeds United warned against ‘financial suicide’ with 49ers set for takeover move
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson is scared of the San Francisco 49ers committing “financial suicide” if they take out loans to buy Leeds United from Andrea Radrizzani this summer.
The Telegraph reported earlier this week (24 May) that the 49ers are likely to push for a full takeover at Elland Road in the coming weeks and months after Leeds avoided relegation from the Premier League.
On 7 December, The Athletic claimed that the 49ers have already agreed an option to buy Leeds from Andrea Radrizzani for at least £400million before January 2024.
And while Robinson does want to see increased investment from the 49ers, who are currently 44 per cent stakeholders, he doesn’t want the NFL franchise to follow in the footsteps of Burnley’s American owners ALK Capital.
“I hope it’s cash money and not the way that Burnley and Manchester United have been bought structured,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“There are going to be huge financial implications to hit Burnley in the next few months because of the way the deal was structured with using the club’s money to buy the club and they were bought on loans.
“That would be financial suicide for a team that’s potentially fighting relegation from the Premier League.
“Leeds can’t be put at a financial risk so it’ll have to be a cash deal.”
As reported by The Guardian on 2 February, ALK’s takeover at Burnley left the club £90million “worse off”.
Their relegation to the Championship could have catastrophic consequences with The Mirror reporting that their drop down means they have to pay a large percentage of a £65million loan repayment.
In other Leeds United news, this player is considering his options at Elland Road despite only signing last year.