Leeds United in takeover talks: The Bahrain connection?
Yorkshire Evening Post 11/7/12
By Leon Wobschall
Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa – the man who led a failed takeover of Leeds United in 2003 – has been named as a key figure in the Middle Eastern consortium poised to take over at Elland Road.
Reports in the Bahrain media claim a group of investors, headed by lifelong United supporter Al-Khalifa, are close to completing a deal for Leeds while the Yorkshire Evening Post also understands that the sheikh is currently in Europe. Positive developments are thought to be imminent.
Al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s ruling dynasty, was part of a consortium including representatives from Saudi Arabia and Asia who failed to push through a takeover deal just under a decade ago, but is seems he has maintained a strong interest in United’s affairs.
Leeds reached an exclusivity agreement with an unnamed investor just over a fortnight ago, with the period enabling the interested party – who satisfied the requirements of the Football League’s Owners and Directors test – to carry out due diligence at the club.
It is believed that process has not thrown up any complications, with the deal now just waiting to be officially rubber-stamped.
A successful takeover by Al-Khalifa would follow hot on the heels of Nottingham Forest’s sale to Kuwaiti businessman Fawaz Al Hasawi – ironically one of the names mentioned as a potential buyer at United.
By Leon Wobschall
Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa – the man who led a failed takeover of Leeds United in 2003 – has been named as a key figure in the Middle Eastern consortium poised to take over at Elland Road.
Reports in the Bahrain media claim a group of investors, headed by lifelong United supporter Al-Khalifa, are close to completing a deal for Leeds while the Yorkshire Evening Post also understands that the sheikh is currently in Europe. Positive developments are thought to be imminent.
Al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s ruling dynasty, was part of a consortium including representatives from Saudi Arabia and Asia who failed to push through a takeover deal just under a decade ago, but is seems he has maintained a strong interest in United’s affairs.
Leeds reached an exclusivity agreement with an unnamed investor just over a fortnight ago, with the period enabling the interested party – who satisfied the requirements of the Football League’s Owners and Directors test – to carry out due diligence at the club.
It is believed that process has not thrown up any complications, with the deal now just waiting to be officially rubber-stamped.
A successful takeover by Al-Khalifa would follow hot on the heels of Nottingham Forest’s sale to Kuwaiti businessman Fawaz Al Hasawi – ironically one of the names mentioned as a potential buyer at United.