Leeds have announced that they have reached an agreement with Aser Ventures and 49ers Enterprise for the purchase of the club.
The 49ers have been desperate to purchase the club and now the process of an official changing of hands can now take place.
In a short statement on Friday night, Leeds announced: “Leeds United can confirm an agreement has been reached between Aser Ventures and 49ers Enterprises for the purchase of the club.
“Both parties continue to work through the details, and further updates will be provided soon. All of our focus remains on a quick return to the Premier League. Thank you for your continued support. Marching on Together.”
The Athletic report that the takeover will be completed in a ‘number of weeks’, with numerous individuals from the 49ers Enterprises’ investment group expected to be required to pass the EFL’s Owners’and Directors’ Test before the purchase officially goes through and they can get to work.
It remains to be seen how soon the group are keen to get to work, with their issues on the pitch meaning that the club are in desperate need of a revival and a clear sense of direction is required.
The Whites were relegated to the Championship this season, with short-term interim Sam Allardyce unable to guide the club to safety during his limited spell in the Elland Road dugout. Victor Orta has also left his role as director of football recently, meaning that there will be changes at all levels of the club. It remains to be seen how the 49ers conduct themselves in their debut season of ownership with Leeds, with it being speculated that they do not want the club to spend longer than 12 months out of the Premier League.
They have been forced to wait to acquire Leeds due to Radrizzani’s ongoing negotiations with Serie A outfit Sampdoria, though there was no doubt among supporters that they wanted a change of face at the very top of the club. The Italian was desperate to acquire the side in his homeland before shaking hands on a deal at Elland Road, and negotiations began to move increasingly smoothly once negotiations regarding Sampdoria reached a conclusion on Thursday night.
