Kieran Maguire: £451m Man City takeover on cards after news from China
Silver Lake Capital could soon increase their stake in Man City parent company City Football Group by as much as 10 per cent.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the American private equity firm’s ambitions within the 12-club organisation.
Silver Lake currently own 14.5 per cent of CFG having purchased another 4.1 per cent from China Media Capital in September.
As relayed by The Athletic on Monday (3 October), CFG’s interest in their Chinese outpost Chengdu Rongcheng appears to have waned in recent years.
This follows a wider trend of Chinese retrenchment in the European football industry of late.
Silver Lake bought their first 10 per cent stake in CFG for £451million in 2019.
Maguire suggests that they could increase their shareholding by roughly the same amount if China Media Capital decides to pull out of the multi-club empire entirely.
“The Chinese government have taken a soft approach to football investment in recent years,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“This has been noticeable with a number of Chinese investors withdrawing from the European market. Clearly, with City having a significant Chinese investment, this could be another step along the way.
“If that is the case, we might see Silver Lake increase their stake from about 14 per cent to around 24 or 25.
“I think that would be indicative of the faith that Silver Lake have in Man City, one of the preeminent clubs who are embracing the metaverse and the opportunities that it brings.“
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor issues “scary” Erling Haaland claim after Man City source’s injury reveal.