NFL Franchise San Francisco 49ers have been expected to complete a full takeover of Leeds United Football Club for some time now – and in the latest developments, top journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic detailed how the 49ers were key in the Whites landing the signature of the club’s transfer record-breaker Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim.
The 49ers Enterprises purchased an initial 15% stake in Leeds in the summer of 2018 for a reported £10 million, before increasing their stake to 44% in 2021 and agreeing a 2024 buy-out option with owner Andrea Radrizzani.
When the 49ers increased their stake in the Premier League club to 44%, its believed that both parties agreed on the NFL franchise having a full-takeover option included in the deal which reportedly runs to January 2024.
Negotiations between Leeds and Bundesliga side Hoffenheim over the final price tag of 20 year old striker Rutter did stall last week, and conversations commenced in the Leeds boardroom around how the club would approach funding the transfer which is said to be in the region of £35 million.
Now in the latest scoop from David Ornstein, the view is that the 49ers got behind the transfer and played a key financial role in getting the deal across the line.
With the option of a full-takeover still outstanding and seeing the 49ers back such a big move for Leeds, it reinforces the belief that their ownership of the club is a matter of when and not if.
Speculation emerged earlier this month that the American buyers could face competition from a financial backer in the Middle East for the takeover of Leeds, and Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) who own the Ligue 1 champions PSG have also been linked with interest in Yorkshire’s finest in the past. However, with these latest developments and the 49ers having the option to launch a full takeover, it feels as though that is the more likely outcome for Andrea Radrizzani and Leeds.
We’ll keep you up to date with the latest around any takeover news at Elland Road, and let us know what you think in the comment section below .