Andrea Radrizzani is not interested in selling a stake of the club “for at least a year”, according to the Times, and a source close to the Leeds owner has said it wouldn’t make any sense at this time.
This comes amid reported interest from PSG owners Qatari Sports Investment.
Radrizzani is said to be two years into his five-year plan for Leeds but, according to the report, could think about selling a part of the club if Leeds don’t go up next season.
The report quotes a source close to Radrizzani as saying, “Even if someone was to buy a stake in the club for £1 billion the financial fair play rules mean that you couldn’t put any money into the club anyway.”
“It will be worth much more if Leeds are promoted to the Premier league next season. The plan is to maintain the status quo and bring in some quality loan signings. There is unlikely to be any major transfer investment.”
OPINION
This makes a lot of sense. Some Leeds fans got excited at the news, reported by the Finanical Times, that Qatari Sports Investment, owners of PSG, were looking to invest in an English club with Leeds top of the list. However, if FFP rules means that Radrizzani couldn’t use the money to invest in the club anyway, what’s the point? Radrizzani will instead be hoping that another sizeable investment in Marcelo Bielsa will deliver Premier League promotion and a massive return on his initial investment. That might not be in complete tandem with the fans, but this is the reality of football in the modern ages. It’s a business – Radrizzani isn’t Leeds born and bred but a businessman ultimately looking for a return on his money. However, unlike some other owners, Radrizzani has been doing things for the best of the club and himself. Buying back Elland Road was a move that went down brilliantly with the fabs. Ultimately they want success but it’s not easy to get out of the Championship. And, as Fulham found out, it can be even harder to stay there. Money isn’t a solve-all cure. A manager like Bielsa could be.