Leeds takeover imminent
ESPN 18/7/12
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN understands that Leeds United are on the brink of a takeover, which could be completed in the coming days.
Leeds have been in talks with a group of investors for some time, fronted by Bahrain-based Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, a Leeds United fan who failed with a takeover bid in 2003.
After protracted discussions and countless rumours, an ESPN source has said: "A takeover is now imminent, it could happen any day."
ESPN contacted current owner Ken Bates in Monaco, who refused to comment on the possibility of an impending change in ownership.
Bates told ESPN: "I am here in Monte Carlo but I am making no comment at all. If anything happens you will be the first to know."
Bates also refused to confirm that the party involved was in fact the reported Bahraini investors. Bates, though, did confirm that "an investor" has been granted an extension to the usual business process of due diligence, where the club's finances are examined ahead of a possible takeover.
Former Chelsea owner Bates added that has he has signed a confidentiality agreement, meaning that he cannot discuss any aspect of any potential takeover.
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN understands that Leeds United are on the brink of a takeover, which could be completed in the coming days.
Leeds have been in talks with a group of investors for some time, fronted by Bahrain-based Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, a Leeds United fan who failed with a takeover bid in 2003.
After protracted discussions and countless rumours, an ESPN source has said: "A takeover is now imminent, it could happen any day."
ESPN contacted current owner Ken Bates in Monaco, who refused to comment on the possibility of an impending change in ownership.
Bates told ESPN: "I am here in Monte Carlo but I am making no comment at all. If anything happens you will be the first to know."
Bates also refused to confirm that the party involved was in fact the reported Bahraini investors. Bates, though, did confirm that "an investor" has been granted an extension to the usual business process of due diligence, where the club's finances are examined ahead of a possible takeover.
Former Chelsea owner Bates added that has he has signed a confidentiality agreement, meaning that he cannot discuss any aspect of any potential takeover.