MOT View: Phil Hay tweet prove Leeds fans focused on QSI could get big takeover surprise
Talk of a QSI takeover of Leeds United has erupted again this week after a report suggested that a £120m takeover was close.
Athletic journalist Phil Hay poured lukewarm water on this, saying that Leeds have been in talks while suggesting nothing has changed recently.
However, it was a follow-up tweet from Hay that really piqued our interest.
With so many fans focusing on QSI – and with good reason after owner Andrea Radrizzani said Qatar investment could get Leeds into the same bracket as Man City – they could be set for a big surprise this summer.
He said, “The message from Elland Road has always been that a 49ers buy-out was every bit as possible as QSI”.
The San Francisco 49ers took a reported 12% stake in Leeds back in May 2018 and haven’t really made many headlines since.
Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises, joined the board of directors and his company had a valuation of £3.5bn last September.
Hay has previously said (Phil Hay Show, January 10) that if the 49ers were to invest any more money in the club it would likely be as a complete takeover.
They have the money and they have the sporting knowledge – last year Forbes had them listed as the 16th most valuable sports team in the world.
Why wouldn’t they be interested in a Leeds side on the brink of a return to the Premier League and the riches that come with that?
They already have the relationship with Radrizzani and could surprise a lot of fans if Leeds finally secure their passage back to the top flight.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Absolute disgrace; Just another Ken Bates’ – Some Leeds fans fume at Henry Winter update