By Mark Smith

24th May, 2023 | 5:10pm

Leeds United news: 49ers would need to secure loan funds for Elland Road redevelopment

The 49ers Enterprises would need to secure funding likely through loans to go ahead with the redevelopment of Elland Road at Leeds United, according to The Political Economy of Football.

It is reported that the plans to expand the stadium was never going to happen under Andrea Radrizzani, who could sell his majority share to the 49ers after the final day against Spurs this weekend.

The latest news is that it would take 12 months alone for planning to be secured for the work on the West Stand, with architectural designs in place already.

Writing in his latest piece for the Football Economy blog, Wyn Grant shared the latest state of play ahead of a huge weekend for Leeds United and their future.

“The proposed project would start with the rebuilding of the West Stand and the club have architectural designs for that in place but they would have to go through the process of applying for planning permission and that was only due to happen once 49ers Enterprises assumed control of the boardroom,” he wrote.

“In itself, planning could take 12 months to secure.

“The project would also require large amounts of funding, many tens of millions of pounds predominantly secured via loans, and it has been clear for a while that any such work was not going to start on Radrizzani’s watch.”

Time.

Being realistic, fans know that there is probably a 90% chance that Leeds are relegated from the Premier League this weekend after a shocking couple of months.

The 49ers Enterprises will know that too, but the positive news is that they still remain in talks to take over from Radrizzani even if that does happen.

With the discounted price they will likely get, their plans will remain the same in the long term with more money to play with once everything is confirmed – should relegation happen.

Premier League football and revenue are needed to crack on with the West Stand redevelopment, but with 12 months likely needed for planning permission, could that start this summer regardless?

Everton have been building their new stadium in the background of all their trouble, with their owner pushing for investment through selling his shares, so seeking loans is not concerning.

Time will tell what happens at Elland Road, but first, this weekend needs to happen so the 49ers can green-light their takeover and sign on the dotted line.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites already have a distrust for this 2022 signing with his exit on the cards