Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani in Italy to watch Wales clash amid Salernitana takeover links
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani is currently in Italy amid reports that he is keen on buying newly-promoted Serie A side Salernitana.
However, the Italian has refused to comment on the links, insisting he is only in town to visit friends and watch tonight’s European Championship clash between his country and Wales with his son.
Cronache Salerno reported during the week that the Leeds owner is part of a group ready to buy Salernitana in a £52million deal, but Radrizzani has refused to give anything away.
“I already know where you want to go with this question, I apologise but I can’t say anything right now, we’ll see what happens,” the Whites chief replied yesterday when asked why he was in Salerno on Stile TV.
“Tomorrow I will be in Rome at the stadium, I promised my son that I would take him to see an Italy match at the European Championships. I can only say that.
“Now we are focused only on Leeds United, a project still under construction with which we want to reap many satisfactions and successes.”
Radz on a double mission?
While the Leeds chief could be keeping an eye on some potential transfer targets during the game this evening, could he also be on another mission?
As shared by The Athletic’s Phil Hay in February, Radrizzani wants to form a multi-club ownership model in Europe, and the opportunity to buy a top-flight club in his home country has presented itself.
Current Salernitana owner Claudio Lotito, who also owns Lazio, needs to sell the club as no one is allowed to own two clubs in the same league, according to FIGC (Italian Federation) rules.
Radrizzani has seen a chance that could be beneficial to Leeds in the long run in terms of getting around post-Brexit transfer rules and regulations.
A new points-based work permit system would make it tough for low-profile targets who are yet to play for their countries to meet the visa requirements, with 15 points needed for them to move to England [The Athletic].
However, an appearance on a teamsheet of clubs in Europe’s big five leagues is worth 12 points, making a potential transfer target get close to the threshold of qualifying for a UK work permit [The Athletic].
Should the Leeds owner buy Salernitana, the club would hold the upper hand when it comes to signing players from there, and that could save us a lot of hassles.
We do not know exactly why he was in Salerno, but it would not come as a surprise if he was on a double mission.
In other Leeds news, Whites scouts watching PL star & teammate at Euro 2020 today under Orta orders.