An accepted bid to buy Sheffield United is timely. A group with deeper pockets should give United a fighting chance next season if promotion is to be won in May.
The caveat to any change at the top being positive is that
it has to be the right owner. United have already been the subject of one
unsuccessful takeover bid this year after American businessman Henry
Mauriss failed to deliver on his £115million offer. No one wants a repeat of
that drawn-out saga.
United have displayed good husbandry under Prince Abdullah,
posting sizeable profits in each of the two seasons under the Saudi
businessman’s sole control where accounts are available — £17.5million in
2019-20 and £9.5m in 2020-1.
Of course, both these years were in the Premier League and
it will be interesting to see how the figures for last season compare when
released in spring. But United have been sensible since returning to the EFL,
with the last two summers both bringing wage reductions for the players as part
of contracts agreed when among the elite.
There has also been little spending in the transfer market
since being relegated.
Making United further attractive to would-be buyers is how,
since the ownership row was settled in United’s favour, the club has been
reunited with Bramall Lane, their Shirecliffe training ground, the hotel and
offices on Crookes Road.
This, as football finance expert Kieran Maguire made clear
when speaking to The Athletic about the recently accepted
offer, is likely to have been pivotal in making the South Yorkshire club such
an alluring proposition along with a strong fanbase, with United currently
boasting the second-highest average attendance in the Championship after Sunderland.
“When investors are looking to put their money somewhere,”
says the Price of Football podcast presenter, “they look at prospects. And
Sheffield United is a big city club who have recently been in the Premier
League.
“Owning the ground is a big thing. Owners look to develop a
ground to be more than a 20-25 day revenue-generating asset. But you can only
do that with ownership. While West Ham have a very nice stadium, in
terms of the deal they got from the taxpayer, they are restricted with what
they can do with it.
“Sheffield United don’t have that problem. There’s also the
future cash flow for a club sitting second in the Championship. If the Blades
can get into the Premier League, you are looking at a guaranteed £180million.
“Admittedly, a lot of that will go into wages, transfer fees
and so on. But that is a huge amount to any prospective buyer.”
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