Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear has said that owner Andrea Radrizzani is open to new investment in the club if he can find a partner who isn’t “disruptive” and who can help get the club back to the top.
Talking in a BBC interview, Kinnear was asked if Leeds were close to taking on another investor, after the San Francisco 49ers brought a stake in the club last year.
“We’re not desperate for investors,” Kinnear replied.
“Andrea has been very clear on this but he’s prepared to bring a partner on board if it moves the club more quickly in the right direction or in a sustainable fashion.
“So it’s not surprising that we have lots of interest because we’re one of the most investable propositions in world football.
“We’re a one-club city, fantastic stadium, fantastic supporter base, everyone knows we should be in the Premier League, so there’s interest all round the world in terms of investing, but Andrea and I are being patient, we’re waiting for the right person and the right deal and making sure it’s someone we can work with in the long run.”
Kinnear went on to say that it was important to get the right investors – like the 49ers – who weren’t disruptive in terms of how the club is run.
“They’re supportive, they’re not intrusive and that’s what we’re looking for in another partner.”
Moneyball
Football is an expensive business.
Kinnear also talked about being “very close” to a new deal for star player Kalvin Phillips, who would be seen as central to Leeds getting back to the Premier League. He is reportedly holding out for a £40k-a-week deal, which is Premier League-level wages.
Radrizzani has always been clear that he has a five-year plan at Leeds – he is now two years in – and that he can’t keep losing money with the club.
Getting back in the Premier League is key and the balance for Radrizzani will be to achieve that without diluting his ownership too much and taking on board investors with the same vision as he has got.
The 49ers are said to be not disruptive and the Leeds fans would testify to that – since their initial investment last year they’ve hardly been mentioned.
Bielsa is priceless
Manager Marcelo Bielsa could be the last piece of the jigsaw for Radrizzani and Leeds. Getting him and holding onto him has been a huge investment but it’s already paying off.
Bielsa took the Leeds squad, with minimum investment, to within a whisker of promotion last season and, despite losing their last game to Swansea, are heavy favourites to win the Championship this season.
Anyone who’s watched them play since Bielsa took over would agree that he’s worth his weight in gold but, after agreeing to stay another season after missing out promotion in the 18/19 play-offs, he might only be around for the 19/20 season. For Leeds and Radrizzani, getting promoted this season is vital.