Exclusive: 49ers could complete Leeds United takeover within weeks as new information emerges
Leeds United could have new owners within a matter of weeks with 49ers Enterprises stepping up their efforts to buy the Yorkshire club from Andrea Radrizzani, MOT Leeds News has been told.
The Times reported on 9 November that the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers has made recent moves to secure the necessary funding to achieve a complete takeover at Elland Road.
It was reported at the time that it's likely the 49ers will complete their takeover at the end of the season.
However, new information has emerged that there is a clause stipulating a full takeover must be triggered by the end of January 2023.
A well-informed source close to Leeds powerbrokers has told MOT Leeds News that new owners need to complete a deal with incumbent owner Radrizzani a lot sooner than initially thought, though it is unknown if there is a second January 2024 clause stipulating a different price for a takeover.
The Athletic previously reported (6 December 2021) that there's an option for the 49ers to buy Leeds from Radrizzani by January 2024 for over £400million.
MOT Leeds News learnt on 31 August that the 49ers are currently blocked from investing more funds into Leeds for Jesse Marsch to spend on transfers.
The American investment company can only pump as much cash into the club as Radrizzani does but the Italian failed to do that over the summer with Leeds only spending what they made from player sales.
As per the Yorkshire Post, the Whites had a net spend of just £1.75million in the summer with sales of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips allowing Marsch and Victor Orta to sign the likes of Luis Sinisterra, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams.