Graham Smyth shares what he’s heard on imminence of Leeds United takeover by 49ers Enterprises
49ers Enterprises’ impending takeover at Leeds United doesn’t sound particularly imminent, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.
The American investors have the option to buy the club in January 2024 for £400million, although it’s believed the takeover could well be pushed forward to the summer of 2023 (The Athletic).
The Whites sealed their Premier League relegation fate on Sunday [28 May] after another disappointing 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road, meaning they’ll be playing Championship football next season, which could leave any takeover in jeopardy.
Daily Mail journalist Ian Ladyman revealed on 13 May that the 49ers’ intentions should Leeds United suffer relegation are unknown and the club chiefs should be receiving an update regarding their position in the coming weeks.
And that uncertainty still remains at Elland Road after Smyth’s latest takeover update.
Taking to his personal Twitter account [29 May], he said: “Lots of you asking for takeover news. It doesn’t sound particularly imminent from what we’re hearing but this is the latest, such as it is.”
State of Flux
Leeds United are in a real state of flux right now and that’s crucially down to their Championship status for next season.
The 49ers’ position regarding the matter is certainly understandable given the club has now certainly lost some of its pull and attraction now that they have been confirmed as a Championship club.
The American owners have huge plans ahead for the Whites should a takeover be completed with news reporting that they see Leeds United becoming a £1billion football club in the near future [The Athletic, 23 April], which certainly represents lofty ambitions, and now looks even longer to achieve right now after Sunday’s dreadful development.
Radrizzani has been said to lose £270million off the club’s value, with the Daily Mail claiming (18 April) the 49ers won’t be willing to pay more than £150million, which may be the cause of all the uncertainty surrounding Elland Road right now.
In order for the club to move forward after such a disastrous campaign, the positions at board level must be clarified and the club will be desperately searching for some sort of answer and movement from the 49ers in order to plan ahead for next season.
Leeds United fans need answers, and they desperately need it now.
In other Leeds news, the club are expecting a relegation release clause for one player to be triggered this summer.