Pundit want Andrea Radrizzani to stay at Leeds United as takeover news emerges
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 isn’t surprised to see a report say the San Fransisco 49ers are likely to try and complete a full takeover at Leeds United this summer.
On 24 May, The Telegraph reported that the 49ers are set to “push” for a full takeover and then invest more money into the club than Andrea Radrizzani has done in his time at Elland Road.
It has previously been reported that the NFL franchise have an option to buy Leeds for at least £400million before January 2024 [The Athletic].
But it seems as though the timeline could be brought forward with a takeover on the cards this summer.
And if it does happen, Robinson just hopes that Radrizzani stays on at Elland Road in some capacity.
“I’m not surprised – it’s been on the cards for a long time,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“I’d like to see Radrizzani keep some kind of stake at Leeds after all that he’s done and because of his love for the club. I’d like to see him stay involved in some way.
“But if the 49ers are coming in, you don’t just want it to be another franchise. You want it to be done where there’s money going into the team.
“If you look at the way Manchester United has been run by their American owners and the way Burnley are going to be in trouble with their American owners, you just hope it’s not going to be a deal that’s structured the same way those two are and Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta are given funds to spend in the transfer market because they need it.”
Leeds have already started to feel a growing American presence at Elland Road.
Marsch was made manager in February and the American’s first signing, which was completed in May, was USA international Brenden Aaronson.
In other Leeds United news, this player is considering his options at Elland Road despite only signing last year.