Sources: EFL supremo in running for Charlton Athletic takeover
An active finance director of a Football League club is spearheading the efforts of one of two groups to take over Charlton Athletic, sources have told Football Insider.
There are at least two other parties in the frame after talks between current owner Thomas Sandgaard and SE7 Partners, a group led by former Sunderland chief Charlie Methven, collapsed at the 11th hour.
A well-placed source has told this site that one of the groups is of American extraction while the other is being led by an unnamed EFL finance director.
Conflict of interest rules would mean the director in question would have to resign before taking a position of significant control at The Valley.
The source did not reveal the specific identities of either of the groups involved, but it has been reported elsewhere that US businessman Marc Spiegel is in talks with Sandgaard.
Football Insider exclusively revealed last Friday (10 February) that negotiations with SE7 Partners had come to an abrupt halt after Sandgaard altered his demands despite having already banked a £1million holding fee.
The controversial Danish entrepreneur originally wanted to retain a 10 per cent stake in the club but upped that figure to 20 per cent after SE7 Partners had already made a £1m deposit.
It is understood that the controversial owner moved to 18 per cent following further negotiations with SE7 Partners, but that figure was still not deemed acceptable.
Methven had already overseen a string of key behind-the-scenes appointments with the belief that he and his business partners would soon own the Addicks.
As well as new manager Dean Holden, Jim Rodwell was installed as chief operating officer, Ed Warrick as finance director, and Andy Scott as technical director.
Sandgaard claims Holden will remain in situ, but Rodwell, Warrick and Scott have all now left Charlton.
In other news, Man City have planted false story as “counterpunch” claim issued.