The Leeds United fan remains committed to finding a Chinese investor.
Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino watches from the stands
Leeds United fans often find themselves hoping to see the club taken over by a new owner. They did so when the club initially haemorrhaged money, when Ken Bates was in charge, GFH Capital and now, maverick Italian Massimo Cellino.
Plenty of names have been linked with a takeover – including Steve Tappin.
Leeds owner Massimo Cellino
It was reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post that Tappin, CEO and founder of Xinfu, and a Leeds fan, is looking to assemble a Chinese consortium that could take ownership for the club.
He has now elaborated further on this on his LinkedIn page.
He made it clear that he felt the club was the best option for the next Chinese investment – after recent takeovers at Wolves and Aston Villa:
“I believe the biggest prize in the English football league for the Chinese has got to be Leeds United.
“By the year 2001, the club was 5th in the Deloitte Football Money League, with revenue ahead of clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea.”
He also lamented on the recent ownership and player sale philosophy at Elland Road:
“In the past 16 years, a succession of owners has mismanaged and underinvested in the club.
General view of a protest against Leeds owner Massimo Cellino before the match
“Yet again, no net investment from the club during the recent transfer window and the sale of a prize young talent Lewis Cook.”
Before insisting he remained committed to finding the right investor for Leeds United:
“The potential of this sleeping giant is massive. To demonstrate this, Leeds’s old rivals, Liverpool, worth less than Leeds in 2001, is according to Forbes now worth $1.56bn which is nearly a staggering 20 times the Leeds valuation!
Jeff Shi of Fosun International and Wolverhampton Wanderers owner
“I need to disclose my interest, I’m a passionate Leeds United fan. I remain committed to finding the right Chinese investing partner(s) for the club.”
Fans at Leeds have become frustrated at the running of the club. Constant managerial changes, the inability of the club to buy back Elland Road, backroom staff upheaval and the mismanagement of talented players contracts have left many disillusioned.
The dream remains a takeover from China, or elsewhere, that can take Leeds back to the glory days.
Tappin currently looks like the best option for that to happen.
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