Financial expert Kieran Maguire has been reacting to a Leeds United update involving the 49ers Enterprises and Elland Road.
What’s the latest Leeds news on the 49ers?
It was confirmed earlier this month that the 49ers Enterprises have completed a full takeover of Leeds from Andrea Radrizzani. The investment vehicle, which have links to NFL side the San Francisco 49ers, are now full owners of the Whites after previously having a 44% stake in the club.
A takeover was valued at £170m and includes the ownership of Elland Road, something which Maguire has been giving his thoughts on.
Talking to Football Insider regarding the news, Maguire, who contributes for Sky Sports, believes that “Leeds fans will love” the fact that the stadium and club are in the hands of the same party.
“I think there is an inevitability in regards to the 49ers’ investment in Leeds United that has been mooted for some time.
“It became quite clear that Andrea Radrizzani to a certain extent had lost interest in his ownership of Leeds United and was ready to move on. Therefore this is the logical and appropriate step to make.
“As far as the Elland Road acquisition, it makes sense, effectively the money from the 49ers will be knocked off the value of Elland Road and it will go into part of the overall pot.
“I think it is a very good idea to have continuity of ownership of both football club and stadium and I’m sure Leeds fans will love this.”
What did Andrea Radrizzani try and do with Elland Road?
Radrizzani has moved on from Leeds, heading back to his native Italy with a takeover of Sampdoria. However, the former Leeds owner and chairman recently explored the prospect of offering to use the club's Elland Road stadium as security against a £26m bank loan, doing so without informing the 49ers.
That was before a Leeds agreement was reached with the 49ers, so it is good to see that Elland Road has been included in the takeover and is not still on the books of a company run by Radrizzani.
The new owners are now looking to take the club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking and are on the search for a new manager, and who knows, should they succeed, they may look into plans to redevelop Elland Road over the coming years.
