Kieran Maguire verdict on ‘big cash injection’ as £400m Leeds United takeover all but certain
Andrea Radrizzani is unlikely to make any more substantial investments in Leeds United given that he appears to have fashioned an exit strategy.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider with the wheels seemingly in motion for the transition of power at Elland Road.
Radrizzani first took a controlling stake in Leeds in 2017 but has since divested much of his equity to the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, who now own 44 per cent.
Speaking to Corriere Della Sera in his native Italy, the 48-year-old admitted that “it is right to let those who can invest more than me go forward” and that he is looking at a”potential exit in 2024.”
The 49ers, whose president Paraag Marathe now sits on the Leeds board, have an option for a full takeover which is understood to be valued at around £400milion in January of next year.
Maguire forecasts that Radrizzani is therefore unlikely to want to pump money into the club if he is halfway through the exit door.
“If you’re selling your house, you don’t pay for a new kitchen before you leave,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“That is because someone else is going to reap the benefit. That is not going to be included, in all probability, in the sale price.
“The comments from Radrizzani suggest that he would be reluctant to invest further cash as far as the club is concerned.
“He appears to be looking for an exit route. I don’t think Leeds fans should expect a big cash injection from him in the January transfer window.
“As for the 49ers and their ambitions to increase their stake to a controlling margin, we will have to wait and see exactly what form that investment takes.”
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