The 49ers currently own a 44 per cent stake in Leeds
San Francisco 49ers are reportedly set to take full control of Leeds United by the beginning of 2024 in a deal worth over £400million.
The owners of the NFL outfit – 49ers Enterprises – have an option to take 100 per cent control of Leeds by January 2024, with the deal set to include ownership of Elland Road.
Earlier this year, a deal for full buy-out in excess of £400million was agreed when the 49ers’ stake in the club went up to 37 per cent, however, The Athletic are now reporting that a deal which could be worth as much as £475million is set to be completed in 2024.
While the current deadline in January 2024, the report states that a buy-out could come sooner than that.
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani – who purchased the club for £45million in 2017 – has seen the value of the club increase significantly since promotion to the Premier League was secured in 2020.
🚨 Exclusive: Leeds United set for full takeover by 49ers in next 2yrs. Already own 44% and @TheAthleticUK can reveal option exists to buy rest by Jan 2024 for total price above £400m. Includes Elland Road. If happens, Radrizzani may keep small stake #LUFC https://t.co/YVOWS0iBSK
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 6, 2021
In 2018, the 47-year-old Italian sold a 10 per cent stake to 49ers Enterprises, but that stake his since risen to 44 per cent.
Radrizzani spoke about the partnership with the 49ers last month, suggesting that it could be vital in Leeds’ attempts to compete at the top end of the Premier League moving forward.
“Now we are partnered with 49ers, this is fundamentally very important because it will be very difficult to stay in the Premier League, but if we stay in it this year I think we can go much more than last year and go into the top six,” Radrizzani said at the Web Summit event in Lisbon.
“Start to renovate the stadium and continue to grow the value of this club.”
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are currently 14th in the Premier League after their 2-2 draw at home to Brentford on Sunday.
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