Just hope they don't try to get us to play in red! http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2016-07/29/content_38982606.htm? Chinese consortium eyes UK club Leeds United please log in to view this image Steve Tappin. A Chinese consortium could be set to launch a bid for English Championship soccer club Leeds United. The offer, which is likely to include an injection of working capital, could involve a payment for the club of more than 100 million pounds ($131 million). The move follows Chinese conglomerate Fosun's acquisition of Wolverhampton Wanderers and the purchase of Aston Villa by Tony Xia's Recon Group. The consortium is believed to consist of leading but as yet unnamed Chinese entrepreneurs as well as a private equity group. It has been put together by Steve Tappin, the chief executive officer and founder of consultancy Xinfu, who has been holding talks in Beijing this week. Tappin, who is also the presenter of the CEO Guru series on BBC World, declined to comment on the details of the potential offer. "I have had a series of meetings with related parties all this week, and there is definite interest in buying Leeds, but I want to ensure it would be with long-term investment, significant working capital and the right governance so it can be a stable platform for sustainable Premier League success," he said. "Leeds United is a big club with a very strong fan base and huge potential for investors, particularly if it can be returned to the Premiership." The club, which finished 13th in the Championship last season, is owned by Italian businessman Massimo Cellino, whose family trust controls 81.58 percent. Cellino bought it in April 2014 but has had a difficult period in charge, even agreeing to sell the club to its fans last year before calling off the deal. He told The Times in May he would sell if he got the right offer. "If somebody doesn't come in then I have no choice but to run it. A lot of people have called me, but they are just fishing. I don't see the money," he said. The consortium could make its move before the transfer window closes on Aug 31. The club is likely to have a value of between 50 million and 60 million pounds, but will probably also need an injection of working capital of a similar amount from the new owners.
Only slightly worrying part to that story is the mention of it being a consortium and involvement of money people. But hey ho let's see
JOCKY BOY.......................................Welcome back and not before time. I missed you like crazy.................now come here and give us a big hug.....and a kiss....and that still means NO TONGUE.....
Thank **** for Brexit eh, Merkel would put a block on any deal the Chinkies want to do Welcome back WJ
Only worrying thing is him talking about it openly, which always makes me think is he just trying to attract more interest from investors. Hope i'm wrong as it sounds potentially promising.
So it's not going to happen soon them, if it happens at all. Which is fair enough, tbh. http://www.insidefutbol.com/2016/07...ve-tappin-speaks-on-chinese-takeover/297495/? Committed To Right Funding For Leeds United – Steve Tappin Speaks On Chinese Takeover Steve Tappin, who has been trying to put together a takeover of Leeds United by a Chinese consortium, has commented on the speculation around a buy-out of the Whites. It had been claimed on Friday that Leeds could be set for a £100m takeover by a Chinese group, with Tappin explaining he had found much interest in the Whites in China and talking up the club's potential; Tappin is a Leeds fan, who is also CEO of consultancy firm Xinfu. Neither Leeds nor the club's majority owner Massimo Cellino have had any contact with a Chinese consortium though and the UK media has been reaching out to Tappin for a comment on the status of any potential takeover. Now he has issued a statement via Twitter and suggested that work will continue behind the scenes, with lengthy comments not appropriate at the present time. please log in to view this image Tappin wrote: "Remain committed to finding right funding for Leeds United with interested Chinese investors. "Not necessary to comment in English press at the moment." Chinese investors have been paying close attention to clubs in England's Championship of late, with an eye on pushing sides up to the riches of the Premier League. Both Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers now have Chinese owners. Cellino took control of Leeds in 2014 and is the club's majority owner.
