Kieran Maguire shares Southampton verdict with major France deal in advanced stages
Southampton can help to develop and sell players as the “mothership” of a multi-club network.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Southampton’s involvement in a multi-club organisation.
As reported by The Athletic, Southampton owners Sport Republic are close to finalising the purchase of French second-tier side Valenciennes.
Sport Republic bought Southampton in January 2022 and made it clear that their intention was to create a multi-club network similar to that of City Football Group or the Red Bull group.
They are currently in a period of exclusivity to finalise a takeover of Valenciennes.
Maguire believes multi-club networks are now commonplace in football and are growing in popularity as it allows investors to spread the risk of financial losses.
“Multi-club networks were already commonplace in football and the decision made by the Southampton owners is further indication that investors see it as a way forward,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“They see that spreading the risk and having pathways to a mothership club is going to be a method they want to use to develop players.
“Practically every MCO has a club that is at the forefront of the network.
“It will help clubs have consistency in training and diet and to make things much easier when they do find talent to develop them at one of the subsidiary clubs to then move it to the mothership or sell the player on.“
In other news, Southampton would accept £15m Burnley bid for 23-year-old star