Leeds United: Andrea Radrizzani reaches agreement for takeover – Di Marzio
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has reached an agreement to complete his takeover of Sampdoria, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The move had appeared to be on the rocks due to a reluctance from Radrizzani to agree to a forced capital increase at the Italian club.
However, Di Marzio is reporting that a deal has been struck with Sampdoria owner Massimo Ferrero, with the board of directors in the process of approving the capital increase.
But the deal has apparently come too late to see Sampdoria avoid a four-point deduction for the start of next season, when they will be in Serie B, over the late payment of wages to players.
What remains uncertain is whether Radrizzani will remain in ownership of relegated Leeds, with their drop to the Championship reportedly voiding a deal the Italian had to sell his remaining shares in the Whites to 49ers Enterprises.
Time go Andrea
Leeds’ Premier League demise had been on the cards for some time and their relegation to the second tier had more than a feeling of inevitability.
Ultimately, what it boiled down to was a poor recruitment strategy. Big money was paid for unproven players, and little with any English top-flight nous.
It has led to a pretty big disconnect between Radrizzani and the Leeds United fans, the majority of whom were pretty vocal about they how felt towards the owner in the final-day defeat to Tottenham on Sunday (28 May).
With a new venture at Sampdoria now on the horizon, it is pretty clear that Radrizzani’s time and efforts are going to be tied up elsewhere.
The honourable thing to do now would be to strike a fresh deal with 49ers Enterprises, even if the valuation will have significantly dropped due to relegation, and allow Leeds to start rebuilding with new owners, new focus, and new direction.
In other Leeds news, the Whites have accepted Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams will leave following a £25million development.