Daniel Feliciano

Wed 12 July 2023 11:10, UK

Leeds United are still unaware of when the 49ers takeover will be officially ratified by the EFL despite the new season being a month away, says Phil Hay.

The 49ers and Andrea Radrizzani came to an agreement for a full takeover in June, but the deal still hasn’t been officially completed as the EFL complete their checks before signing it off.

But with the new season due to begin on August 6 against Cardiff, the club are yet to be given an indication of a date when they can expect the process to be completed by.

“The problem when it comes to providing clarity is that the EFL never comments on club takeovers, publicly or privately,” he wrote in The Athletic (12 July).

“It never gives firm indications of timescales to the media and in certain situations, like this one, clubs themselves are in the dark about exactly when approval will arrive.

“Even now, Leeds don’t have any definite indication of a date. So how long is a piece of string?”

Shocking

It’s crazy that the process is taking so long to complete considering that the 49ers have been part of the club’s ownership for years.

Officially the process isn’t stopping the club from operating in the transfer market, but until a deal is officially done then we have to still get things signed off by Radrizzani despite the fact he’s swanned off and is running Sampdoria in Italy these days.

It delayed the announcement of Daniel Farke as manager despite a deal being done for ages and it’s likely delaying the process of incoming transfers, although outgoings are finally beginning to happen.

The EFL should be prioritising situations like these because there aren’t that many takeover processes happening, and it can damage our preparations for the new season.

We need it to be signed off as soon as possible so we can begin the new era at Elland Road, but the fact even the club don’t know tells you this has a long way to go yet.

In other Leeds news, ‘Hot Hours’ for transfer as Premier League club want to sign Whites star.