Leeds United Takeover

According to reports the proposed Leeds United takeover is in  danger of collapsing,Glory Glory Leeds United has learned from a well placed Middle Eastern source that the consortium involved in the takeover are on the brink of "pulling the plug" on the deal.Contrary to recent press reports we have been informed that several key meetings between the two parties have not taken place and negotiations seemed to have stalled.Leeds fans wishing to see the back of the Ken Bates era will be bitterly disappointed.The takeover appeared to be on the brink of collapse four weeks ago before negotiations resumed in attempted to revived the process.The identity of the buyers has never been revealed despite rumours that a member of Bahrain’s ruling family, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, is one of the individuals behind the approach made to Bates in May.

Leeds United Takeover ON Brink of Collapse?

Fears were growing last night that the proposed takeover of Leeds United by an un-named Middle Eastern based consortium is on the brink of collapse.Leeds have been in talks with potential purchasers for almost two months but have made no comment on the progress of discussions since announcing on June 26 that an unnamed group were performing due diligence on the accounts at Elland Road.The consortium are believed to be looking for full ownership of Leeds, purchasing all of the 72.85 per cent stake held by existing owner Ken Bates, and it is anticipated that their proposal would see Bates sever his ties with United after seven-and-a-half years as chairman.Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa rumoured to be leading the consortium remains something of a mystery figure with latest reports suggesting he is only acting as adviser to the potential new owners.The Leeds United Supporters Trust(LUST)has issued a statement on the takeover: "The Leeds United Supporters' Trust want to express our frustration and disappointment with the way the takeover of Leeds United is being handled. We believe the time has come for the fans to be told what is happening at their club," "The complete silence from the buyers and the wholly inadequate statements from the club itself have kept Leeds fans in the dark about what will become of their club after this summer. We respect the need for confidentiality and that the legal process needs time. However, we believe that Leeds United's fans should also be respected.
"By not responding to calls from the fans for information, the new owners are not beginning this key relationship in a positive way. Our members want to support a transparent and open Leeds United and being kept in the dark about who currently owns or runs their football club does nothing to achieve this."

Leeds United Takeover Drags ON

Reports are emerging that the takeover of Leeds United by a consortium led by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa will not be completed for a least another 10 to 14 days after the Sheikh representatives requested the period of "due diligence" be extended to allow them to carry out a thorough examination of Leeds United's finance's.Leeds United Chairman Ken Bates has remained virtually silent during this period. It has  been revealed that he had signed a confidentiality agreement with the proposed new owners which prevents him from commenting in public on the takeover.

Leeds United Takeover....

According to report from various sources the Leeds United takeover seem set to drag on for a while yet.Leeds United manager Neil Warnock speaking on SSN today(Thursday) confirmed that "due diligence" was still taking place.Warnock also seemed to play down the fact that any new investors would be splashing the cash, stating he thought the new owners will be 'thrifty' & he does not expect 'lavish spending'.This could of course be seen as a ploy by Warnock to prevent clubs inflating the price on his transfer targets.Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa is now the name being strongly linked with the Leeds United takeover,with Bahrain's national newspaper,Gulf Daily News,reporting his interest in the club.Shaikh Abdulrahman, who is president of Al Najma Football Club, has been reported as being a long-time Leeds United fan and is believed to have been part of another group that failed in a bid to buy the club in 2003.Sources in Bahrain confirmed that the Shaikh is currently in Europe on business.

Sheikh hopes To Complete Leeds Takeover

A group of Middle Eastern investors are expected to complete a takeover of Leeds United this week.The group is believed to be headed by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa , a member of Bahrain's royal family.The Sheikh is a lifelong supporter of Leeds United and has previously been linked with a takeover of the club in 2003.He eventually failed in his attempts to buy the club with the club stating at the time that they had not received satisfactory evidence that the funds existed for his consortium to buy Leeds United.Speaking back in 2003 the Sheikh said

  'I fell in love with the club when I was 11 years old when Leeds played Chelsea in the 1970 FA Cup final.'It was fated that I should love the club. Whether that fate will determine that I can save them 30 years later, I don't know.'Leeds mean everything to me, I was born to support them. 'Those who are closest to me, my friends and my family, know what Leeds United mean to me.'

The fact Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Mubarak al-Khalifa has already led one failed takeover of the club must be of some concern to Leeds fans who can only hope this attempt is successful as the takeover saga drags on.