The Sunday Times
Qatar are believed to be looking to buy a stake in Championship club Leeds United, the Financial Times reported last night. It would be the gas-rich state’s first entry into English football.
Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a state-backed group which controls French champions Paris Saint-Germain, have expressed an interest in recent months, according to the report.
“Qatar Sports Investments will be entering English football, and Leeds is the club of their choice,” a person familiar with the talks said.
One person close to Leeds United’s leadership said that the club’s owner, Andrea Radrizzani, is holding talks with at least six different potential investors, one of which is QSI.
It is believed that no firm decision has been made as to which party Radrizzani may opt to deal with, but that the Italian entrepreneur’s preference is to sell a minority stake in the club.
The Financial Times reports that Radrizzani has been considering a sale of at least a minority stake for the past few months, but was awaiting the outcome of their attempt to achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a state-backed group which controls French champions Paris Saint-Germain, has been in talks over a deal with Leeds and its owner, Andrea Radrizzani, in recent months, according to the report. “Qatar Sports Investments will be entering English football, and Leeds is the club of their choice,” a person familiar with the talks said. “Qatar has been looking into the prospects of entering English football for the past two years.”
One person close to Leeds United’s leadership said the club are holding talks with at least six different potential investors, one of which is QSI. They said no firm decision has been made as to which party Radrizzani may opt to sell to, but that the Italian entrepreneur’s preference is to sell a minority stake in the club. The Financial Times reports that Radrizzani has been considering a sale of at least a minority stake for the past few months.