PSG owner could reportedly revive Leeds United investment interest alongside Radrizzani takeover - YEP 25/5/23
French daily newspaper L’Equipe report Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani is in ‘advanced talks’ with Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari owners (QSI) regarding a stake in relegated Serie A club Sampdoria.
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds’ chairman and majority shareholder Radrizzani is close
to a buyout of the historic Italian club who were relegated to the second tier
earlier this season, according to reports on the continent.
Now, L’Equipe claim Qatar Sports Investments are involved in
‘advanced talks’ to acquire a minority stake in the soon-to-be Serie B club,
with Radrizzani taking majority control in a scenario similar to the deal
struck by the Leeds chief and 49ers Enterprises.
The report also states QSI could even be willing to invest
in Leeds in due course, which adds another dimension to the uncertainty
surrounding the club’s immediate future. The 49ers are understood to have an
agreement with Radrizzani to complete a full buyout of Leeds United before January
2024, with this summer’s off-season deemed the most sensible period to enact a
change of ownership.
However, in recent weeks, it has become unclear whether
Radrizzani will relinquish his 56 per cent majority stake to the 49ers at a
discounted price due to the club’s impending relegation.
QSI meanwhile recently acquired a minority stake in
Portuguese club SC Braga, and have reportedly set their sights on similar
investments in Brazilian giants Santos, as well as Spanish club Malaga.
How QSI’s involvement in Radrizzani’s Sampdoria purchase
affects Leeds’ own future remains to be seen, but if PSG’s owners are willing
to contribute towards acquiring Sampdoria, Leeds’ chairman would require a
lesser figure to complete the deal, believed to be in the tens of millions.
“We’re ready to invest €55 million (£47.8m; $59.5m)
immediately to rescue and relaunch Samp. Another €20m is already available. In
addition, there are a number of investors from institutionalised capital who
are looking at the project and share an interest in joining us,” Gestio Capital
chief executive Matteo Manfredi, told Genoa newspaper Il Secolo XIX.
Radrizzani is in partnership with the asset management fund
Gestio and presented an offer to purchase Sampdoria last Friday, according to
reports.
Leeds’ chairman and PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi have shared
a business relationship for some years, dating back to 2020 when the Italian
commented on rumours relating to a PSG-backed buyout of Leeds United: “These
are rumours that have been ongoing for more than a year now. What is true is
that we have a great relationship on a personal level,” he told Gianluca Di
Marzio.
“There’s a desire to do something together maybe even in
football but there’s nothing concrete at this time,” he said, prior to the
Whites’ promotion to the Premier League.
Radrizzani did admit the club would need additional
investment on top of minority partners 49ers Enterprises to be competitive in
the Premier League, indicating he had considered opening Leeds up to external
funding.
"My desire to have a great Leeds that is a protagonist
in the Premier League and to do so we will need partners on top of the San
Francisco 49ers, we’ll evaluate this when we are in that league,” he said in
2020.
Leeds face a significant rebuild this summer in the event of
relegation with changes to be made at executive level, as well as in the dugout
and within the playing squad, particularly if the 49ers acquire a controlling
stake in the club.
