The Rangers takeover clues hiding in plain sight as AGM flashback shows 49ers investment has been months in the making

The proposed San Francisco 49ers takeover of Rangers is the biggest show in town.

And a flashback to the recent AGM at the end of last year offers a potential hint that this has been a blockbuster deal in the making. Our man Keith Jackson broke the internet on Wednesday night when he revealed the huge exclusive that would see the Ibrox side at the centre of a potentially transformative US led takeover bid.

The move would see the men from Govan bankrolled by the cash rich NFL outfit with talks over a sensational partnership at an 'advanced stage' after talks kicked off before the turn of the year. Interestingly this is when former Rangers chairman Alistair Johnston presented the question as to whether Rangers could become part of a stable.

One of the key figures behind the proposal is Paraag Marathe. He's the chairman of Leeds United and in charge of the NFL giants' invest arm, 49 ers Enterprises. This would tap into that idea presented by Johnston - who comes from an American sports business. Late last year the Rangers director proposed whether the Ibrox club could become part of a stable set-up.

He said: “I come from an American sports business where it’s all about entertainment. You don’t have to win. I know there is interest. I was in Nice and had lunch with several friends and directors there and the owner there is Jim Radcliffe. We’re looking at whether club formations can be an option for us.

"We'll look for Patrick Stewart to provide advice on that. I want the new chairman and new CEO to look at the big issues. Why do we get such poor media money. Why do club finishing in bottom of EPL get 28 times more than we do?”

"The obvious conclusion to jump to is Man Utd co-owner Radcliffe’s INEOS which wholly owns FC