According to La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani is due to complete the acquisition of struggling club Sampdoria for around £35 million. This comes amidst speculation of the Yorkshire club finally being sold to the San Francisco 49ers, with multiple journalists reporting talks towards a move. The move could be controversial, with the current board being accused of being “absolutely pissed on the power Marcelo Bielsa gave them” on a recent Guardian podcast.
Andrea Radrizzani Acquiring Sampdoria, Moving Away From Leeds United
Why is Andrea Radrizzani Buying Sampdoria?
The Whites’ owner is looking to buy Sampdoria due to their continued financial troubles. I Blucerchiati have been relegated from Serie A, with the potential to go bankrupt if the club was unable to find a new owner. With the San Francisco 49ers increasing their stake in Leeds United over the past few years and the Italian having always envisioned owning clubs around the world as part of a larger network, selling the current Premier League club was unlikely to be the end of his time in football.
Read More: Radrizzani Hints at Sale
What Will Leeds United Fans Think?
Suggestions of this takeover initially arose during the Whites’ Premier League match against West Ham as the team were already losing to David Moyes’ Hammers. Whilst the timing of the announcement was awful, any indication that the owner might be on the way out will be welcome. Elland Road has seen a rapid decline since the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa, with the Peacocks sitting firmly in the relegation zone. Director of Football Victor Orta has already left the club, with it seemingly only being a matter of time until Radrizzani follows.
Read More: Leeds United Owner Has Say on Performances
What This Means for Leeds United
Ultimately, this takes the Yorkshire side a step closer to complete ownership by the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm. The current owner’s attention is seemingly no longer on the club he owns, a significant sign of a stakeholder on the way out. Fans will be hoping for a swift transition, as the squad is almost certain to have a huge turnover of players whilst being uncertain of next season’s manager, Director of Football and even owner.
