Beren Cross: 49ers would pay less for Leeds takeover if club relegate
Leeds United could soon have new owners as the San Francisco 49ers have a deal in place to complete a full takeover for around £475million.
With the Elland Road outfit not guaranteed their top-flight status for next season (2022-23) following a shaky start to the campaign, Leeds-Live journalist Beren Cross has assured a fan that the takeover would still continue even if the club relegated.
However, he reckons there would be a significant drop in the price to pay if it comes to that.
Cross replied on the website during a Q and A session when a Whites fan asked if the deal is conditional on the club being in the Premier League at the time of completion: “A good question, and I am not certain on the clauses of this confidential contract, but I don’t believe being in the Championship would preclude 49ers from completing the deal.
“I would assume if Leeds were in the second tier, the price the Americans would need to pay would significantly drop.”
Fair enough
Andrea Radrizzani bought the club for just £45million, but it is almost worth 10 times that amount in just four years.
It is unknown exactly when 49ers look to make a move to assume full control of Leeds, but there is an option for the 100 per cent control to pass to them by January 2024 [The Athletic].
It will be interesting to see where the Whites are in the 2023-24 season, but relegating is the last thing they want right now as that will be a huge financial blow.
The Italian businessman has always spoken about his plans for the club to be playing European football very soon, but dropping down to the Championship will set them back.
Given the injuries that have beleaguered Marcelo Bielsa’s squad all season, Leeds need to make some quality additions to their team in January in order to boost their chances of staying up.
Kalvin Phillips could be out of action until February 2022 after a knock against Brentford on Sunday (5 December), and that could derail their whole campaign.
It is good to know that the 49ers will go ahead with a complete takeover regardless of which division the club are in, but they need to remain in the Premier League for the good of everyone.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have mapped out plans to avoid relegation scrap as January transfer budget claim emerges.