According to financial news agency Bloomberg, Leeds United chairman and principal stakeholder Andrea Radrizzani is planning a €1 billion buyout approach for Italian giants Internazionale.
The Italian is largely expected to hand up control of Leeds to 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the NFL franchise headquartered in San Francisco, California, who already hold 44% of the club.
Radrizzani has gradually sold off his stake in Leeds over the previous few seasons, with the 49ers expanding their initial investment from 15% to 37% and now 44%. A majority share deal is widely reported to be in place by January 2024, with the most natural handing of the torch taking place this summer.
Key 49ers’ decision-maker Paraag Marathe is already listed as vice president at Elland Road, whilst Australian retail magnate Peter Lowy is also on the board of directors at Elland Road.
A $400 million list price has been mooted for the 49ers’ majority acquisition of Leeds, although it is expected a portion of that figure has already changed hands, owing to the 49ers’ current minority holding.
Bloomberg reports that Milan-born Radrizzani is among a group of businessmen interested in acquiring Inter Milan. Bahrain-based Investcorp, which bid for AC Milan last year, is also said to be interested.
The profits from Leeds’ sale to the 49ers are supposed to be available for use in any arrangement involving Radrizzani’s Aser Ventures and the purchase of the Italian giants. However, Radrizzani’s participation would be reliant on Leeds staying a Premier League entity, which is not yet certain; the club is currently two points above the relegation zone with eight games remaining in the season.
Radrizzani was recently named to the board of directors of sports network DAZN, and Andrea Sartori, head of sports business consultant Football Benchmark, believes Inter is worth €1 billion.
The 48-year-old was linked with a takeover of Serie A team Salernitana in 2021 before retracting his interest.
“Representatives for Aser, Investcorp, and Inter Milan declined to comment on the offers,” according to Bloomberg.
Leave a Reply