49ers ‘moving towards’ full takeover at Elland Road

Leeds United could be under new ownership in a matter of months as it would be ‘preferable’ for 49ers Enterprises to take control of the Elland Road outfit in the summer, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has told GiveMeSport.

While Jesse Marsch’s Whites are currently trying to fend off relegation to the Championship, a big shake-up behind the scenes is in the offing.

Leeds takeover news – 49ers Enterprises

According to The Athletic, 49ers Enterprises’ plans to become Leeds’ majority owners are progressing and they could complete their takeover before the summer.

The report suggests the final step of the deal is on the horizon and Andrea Radrizzani, who purchased a controlling stake in the Whites more than five-and-a-half years ago, is preparing to give the buy-out the green light.

Respected journalist Jacobs recently told GiveMeSport that 49ers Enterprises are confident of rubber-stamping their takeover by the summer.

The investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, the NFL franchise, have an option to acquire 100 per cent of Leeds’ assets for £400million by January 2024.

Having first clinched a shareholding in 2018, 49ers Enterprises took their ownership up to 44 per cent in November 2021.

When was Leeds founded?

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What has Ben Jacobs said about the takeover plans?

Jacobs believes it makes sense for 49ers Enterprises to usurp Radrizzani as Leeds’ majority shareholder ahead of the January 2024 agreement.

The journalist is aware the plan will not change even if the Whites are condemned to relegation from the Premier League this season.

Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “Radrizzani has made no secret of a proposed sale. He’s been the majority shareholder since 2017 and 49ers Enterprises have always held an option to buy Leeds United in January 2024.

“Therefore, progressing towards the summer shouldn’t be seen as a surprise because if you’re going to takeover a football club and you plan to activate an option that exists in January 2024, it’s more preferable as a new majority owner to come in during the off-season and have a full season than joining mid-season.

“It’s no real surprise to me that if they always planned, strategically, on taking that option in January 2024, if the summer is deemed to be more preferable by all parties because it’s perhaps a more stable way of handing over the ownership.

“That’s why I think things are moving towards a summer resolution, in all likelihood, regardless of whether Leeds stay up or go down.”

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

Could 49ers Enterprises have a say over Leeds’ January transfer business?

It appears they already have as, according to The Athletic, 49ers Enterprises were key in Leeds getting a deal over the line for Georginio Rutter.

The report suggests the Americans supported the bid for the Hoffenheim striker and have agreed to meet future payments for him as the entirety of the fee will be paid over the course of his Elland Road contract.

As a result of 49ers Enterprises’ backing, Rutter became Leeds’ club-record arrival when a deal worth up to £36million was concluded last week.

The Frenchman’s move came after the Whites had already forked out £11million to sign defender Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg.

With the transfer window remaining open until 11pm on January 31, Marsch still has time to welcome further reinforcements to Yorkshire.

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