Kieran Maguire: Leeds United takeover taking place on Andrea Radrizzani’s terms as new details emerge
Andrea Radrizzani will not be rushed into selling his stake in Leeds United and will only sell when he feels he can secure maximum return on his investment.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the expected regime change behind the scenes at Elland Road.
The investment arm of NFL outfit San Francisco 49ers have steadily increased their stake in Leeds up to 44 per cent since they first bought into the club in 2018.
The 49ers have agreed an option with Radrizzani to become the West Yorkshire side’s controlling stakeholder for a set price before January 2024.
Per The Athletic on 17 January, the 49ers are becoming increasingly involved in transfer and finance talks on the basis that it will likely be them that cover the costs of new arrivals over the course of their contracts.
But Maguire insists that
“There’s no evidence that the 49ers have put in the money in respect of the Rutter deal to sign Georginio Rutter, for example,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“But I’m sure their increased investment into Leeds in the last few years, which has significantly benefitted the club in terms of allowing it to tap into marketing expertise, will be beneficial to all concerned.
“The potential takeover at a defined point in time is certainly an option.
“But Radrizzani is an entrepreneur, and the nature of entrepreneurship is that you both buy and sell. He will sell when the time is right for him rather than when the time is right for the other party.
“He wants to focus on his overall portfolio of investments. If he feels there is greater value to be had at Leeds, so be it.“
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