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Deal in place for US takeover at Leeds

The investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers has a deal in place to buy Leeds United for more than £400 million, The Athletic has revealed.

It is understood that there is an option for 100 per cent control of Leeds to pass to 49ers Enterprises by January 2024 — including ownership of the club’s Elland Road stadium.

Leeds’ market value has rocketed since Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani bought them for £45 million in 2017 but 49ers Enterprises — a fund controlled by the NFLfranchise — is set to secure a full buy-out within the next two years.

Radrizzani sold an initial 10 per cent of Leeds to 49ers Enterprises in 2018 and that minority shareholding has since risen to 44 per cent, with the most recent increase of seven per cent coming last month.

A fixed purchase of more than £400 million was struck during negotiations that saw 49ers Enterprises hike its stake up to 37 per cent in January. Some sources have told The Athletic that the deal could be worth £475 million.

The overall cost of acquiring 100 per cent of shares includes the money already paid for 49ers Enterprises’ existing stake, leaving more than £200 million to pay.

Completion of a takeover would create another US ownership model in the Premier League.


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