Report: Cellino announces Cagliari sale by late-night SMS

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The Corriere dello Sport has printed a series of text messages it claims are from Massimo Cellino, explaining his sale of Cagliari.

Sardinian entrepreneur Massimo Cellino is close to agreeing a deal to buy Leeds United and looks set to sell hometown club Cagliari.

The Miami-based businessman is awaiting Football Association approval as a ‘fit and proper person’ to own Leeds, but his opponents seem to be falling away.

Cellino has owned Cagliari since 1992 and has had a tempestuous time at the helm, clashing with fans, the Italian Football League and the authorities.

But now he looks to be ready to leave the Rossoblu behind and the Corriere dello Sport insists that he announced his imminent departure with a series of text messages send from the USA that arrived just before 6am in Italy.

“For 22 years I dreamed the impossible,” he says. “I am a poor romantic dreamer, excuse me if I didn’t succeed.

“I have practically sold Cagliari and the buyers’ lawyers are securing the go-ahead from the authorities. They are good people but I’m worried they will baulk at our sad reality. Good night.”

The buyers are as yet unknown and a source of intense speculation in the Italian media with some suggesting it is a buyer linked to the Qatar Foundation, who sponsor Barcelona, and others claiming it is an American group.

image: © ell-r-brown