Leeds: 'Safety net' at Elland Road amid fresh 49ers claim

The impending takeover of Leeds United by the investment arm of NFL outfit the San Francisco 49ers is ‘a great safety net’, according to journalist David Anderson.

Current owner Andrea Radrizzani purchased a 50 per cent share of the west Yorkshire outfit back in January 2017 and bought out co-owner Massimo Cellino later that year, but appears set to relinquish control.

In December last year, it was revealed by The Athletic that the 49ers have a deal in place to buy Leeds for over £400 million.

The report states that there is an option for 100 per cent control of Leeds to pass to the American Enterprise by January 2024, including ownership of the club’s Elland Road stadium.

Radrizzani is believed to have sold an initial 10 per cent of Leeds to 49ers Enterprises four years ago, with that shareholding since rising to 44 per cent.

Although the deadline of January 2024 has been set for the full transition of ownership to be completed, The Athletic claim the deal could go through much sooner, while Radrizzani could retain a minority stake.

If the takeover is completed, the Whites would join the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Burnley and Arsenal in being Premier League clubs run by American owners.

With Leeds hovering just two places above the Premier League relegation zone, the prospect of dropping back into the second tier of English football is surely a major concern.

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If they do drop back into the Championship, then the financial rewards on offer will greatly reduce, but Anderson believes the prospective new owners will be a safeguard from any potential issue that may raise.

In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “Well, I