Rory Smith has dropped an exciting claim on the potential takeover of Leeds United by the San Fransisco 49ers.
What’s been said?
In recent comments made on 5 Live’s The Monday Night Club, The New York Times journalist suggested that, while it has become clear over the course of the current campaign that the Leeds United first-team squad is in need of a major overhaul in the summer transfer market, he is not concerned about the Whites’ ability to do so, as it looks likely that the 49ers will go on to buy a controlling stake of the club this summer.
Concerning Leeds transfer business and potential takeover, Smith said: “I think what has become clear is that there is a major overhaul of that squad needed. But I don’t worry, because I think they might get bought out by the San Fransisco 49ers.”
Supporters will be buzzing
With Leeds very much facing the possibility of dropping back down to the second tier of English football this Sunday – with FiveThirtyEight predicting that the Whites’ have only a 46% chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League – it is clear to see that the investments made by Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta on incoming transfers over the past two years have not been overly successful.
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Indeed, with the likes of the £13m Junior Firpo, the £26m Rodrigo, the £13m Robin Koch and the £18m Diego Llorente all being tipped for a move away from Elland Road this summer – all of whom it would appear extremely unlikely that Orta would be able to shift for a profit – this is £70m of investment that has not worked out for the Whites.
However, with the York family – who own the 49ers franchise, a 40% stake of Leeds and are worth $4b (£3.2b) – reported to possess an option to purchase the Whites in a £475m deal, it is clear to see that, should a takeover happen this summer, Leeds would indeed have no problem in funding a spending spree in the transfer market.
As such, Smith’s suggestion that a takeover looks likely is sure to be news that will have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing, particularly when considering their chants for Radrizzani to leave their club during the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
AND in other news: Phil Hay drops major Leeds United update that will leave supporters devastated