Nassef Sawiris exit: Keith Wyness shares instant Aston Villa verdict
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Nassef Sawiris’ potential UK exit would have no effect on the Midlands giants.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 67-year-old – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs –claimed any move would only mean “tax restructuring” for the 63-year-old billionaire.
According to Bloomberg (8 January), Aston Villa’s owner Sawiris is considering leaving the UK because of tax changes being brought in under the Labour government.
The Egyptian, who is worth an estimated £6.35billion, has already relocated his business operations to Abu Dhabi.
He bought a 55% stake in Villa in 2018, partnering up with US billionaire Wes Edens.
The Midlands giants have since gone from strength to strength, earning promotion from the Championship and now playing Champions League football under Unai Emery’s management.
Sawiris’ UK exit ‘won’t affect Aston Villa at all’, says Wyness
When asked about potential ramifications for Villa, Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s difficult to know because if it’s just a domicile for tax purposes, it won’t affect anything at all.
“That’s probably what the restructuring would be about.
“He’s spending a lot of time at the club, he’s loving it – he’s enjoying it.
“He’s in charge of a very big operation, he’s a very big player in the Middle East – there’s no doubt about it.
“So I think his love for Villa will maintain and his time there will carry on regardless.
“I think this is more tax restructuring than anything else.
“I don’t think it will affect Villa at all.”
In other news, Villa open talks over Louie Barry double deal.
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