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Duncan Castles has been speaking on the latest instalment of the Transfer Window podcast, where he revealed Gerard Lopez has ‘made an offer’ for Southampton.
The Luxembourg businessman has a history of investing and owning sports teams, having been in charge of the Lotus Formula One team and Ligue 1 side Lille in recent years.
Lopez sold the French side in 2020 after three years at the helm following increasing debts at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Southampton’s current owner, Chinese entrepreneur Gao Jisheng, who owns a majority 80% stake in the south coast club, has been looking to sell the Saints for several months without any luck. However, Castles has claimed that could be about to change.
He said: (15:54) “It’s been on the market for over a year. A lot of people have taken a look at it. Gao was asking for around £250m, basically wanted to take the money he put into the club and get back out without making a loss. No one has touched it at that price.
“My understanding is that Gerard Lopez, who was the owner of Lille until recently, and previously the owner of the Lotus Formula One team, has made an examination of the books, looked at the quality of players at the club and made an offer that would be worth just over half what Gao has been asking for Southampton.”
TIF Thoughts on Southampton’s takeover…
Southampton fans may be slightly concerned over Lopez’s suitability to take over the Premier League side, considering how things ended in Lille.
According to reports, the 49-year-old borrowed from US creditors JP Morgan and Elliott Management during his tenure and left with the club owing just over half – £107 million (US$150 million) – of the £195.7 million (US$276 million) he acquired.
However, if Lopez can purchase Southampton and invest the appropriate funds, then it could be the beginning of an exciting new era at St. Mary’s.
In other news: ‘I hate him’ – Many Newcastle fans fume as £7.2m-rated transfer target emerges
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