Report: Major twist in Leeds takeover talk as new favourites emerge to rival QSI
There has been a lot of talk of Leeds United taking on new investment now they’re in the Premier League and QSI has always featured front and centre.
In a recent interview with BBC journalist Adam Pope, Radrizzani said that no deal had been done with the Qatar group but that the door was always open.
Radrizznai had previously said that QSI money could propel Leeds into the same bracket as Man City and the Leeds owner has a good personal relationship with QSI chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
However, according to 90min.com there’s a new favourite on the scene.
The San Francisco 49ers already have a minority stake in the club and the report claims that they also have an option as part of that deal and are now “ready to push through a full takeover”.
90min.com claim the 49ers are now the favourites to take control of the club.
If true, that would represent a major twist in the takeover narrative.
Investment will come
Radrizzani has an end game in mind but we’re not convinced that’s coming anytime soon.
We hope it isn’t. Radrizzani has done a brilliant job running the club and guiding it back to the Premier League.
He knows that investment is needed and initially this will come from his parent company.
However, he’s been very open about taking on extra outside investment and name-checked the 49ers in a recent interview.
In the YEP he was quoted as saying, “Extra finance will likely be pumped into the club from Radrizzani’s global investment company Aser.
“His partners, the financial backers of the NFL’s 49ers, are yet to discuss further investment but Radrizzani is expecting them to play a more proactive role now that Leeds are in the Premier League.”
Athletic journalist Phil Hay, the man with his finger on the pulse at Elland Road, has always talked up the possibility of the 49ers.
He said that his sources at Elland Road have said that a 49ers buy-out is just as possible as QSI.
Either would be brilliant for Leeds according to MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson.
He said that you’re not just talking about investment from a wealthy backer, but from groups with incredible experience at running global sports brands – QSI with PSG and the 49ers with their NFL franchise.
Rumours will pick up now that Leeds are in the Premier League, but after what Radrizzani said about his parent company putting more money in, we’re not expecting a full takeover any time soon.
We think that’s important for continuity too. Marcelo Bielsa is absolutely key to Leeds and there’s no guessing how he would react to new owners.
It’s highly likely that he wouldn’t retain the same control, though, and that could spell trouble.
We want Radrizzani in charge for at least the next season and ideally the next two.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Mad times’ – Reliable journalist claims Leeds met striker on Monday, want deal done asap