Phil Hay shares what he was last told about Leeds-QSI, makes claim about 49ers investment
QSI are still interested in investing in Leeds United but we are unlikely to see any more news about them until the summer, according to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay.
The former Yorkshire Evening Post reporter also claimed that while QSI could look to one day stage a full buy-out of the Whites, minority investors 49ers Enterprises could also look to increase their shares in the club.
49ers Enterprises bought a reported 10 per cent of Leeds’ shareholding from chairman Andrea Radrizzani in 2018 but director Paraag Marathe said at the time that he has no interest in a full takeover at Elland Road [BBC Sport].
However that is something that could be on the cards with QSI, especially if Radrizzani looks to sell up at the end of the season if Leeds’ promotion bid proves unsuccessful.
“That’s gone quiet for a while. They’re still in the background but I suspect that we might not hear any more until the summer,” Hay said on a Q&A session via The Athletic website.
“Radrizzani seems intent on staying but that will be more difficult for him financially if Leeds don’t go up.
“When I last asked about QSI, I was told this – they are interested, they are in the background but they’re still a long way from actually getting anything done. It sounded to me like they would look at an initial investment with a view to a full buy-out.
“But don’t forget that the 49ers have a stake here too and might be equally interested in increasing it.”
Radrizzani has overseen dramatic changes during his time as Leeds’ owner, with one of the biggest ones being how results on the pitch have improved massively.
Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival in the dug-out has been the biggest factor in this, with Radrizzani making the Argentine the highest-paid manager in the Championship when he hired him [Guardian].
It would be a shame for Radrizzani to be the man who oversees Leeds’ return to the Premier League, only for him to leave after.
However the possibility of a takeover by QSI is a mouthwatering prospect.
In other Leeds United news, this £51,000-a-week player wants to join Leeds.