Leeds United’s Red Bull ownership claims grow wings – and take flight

THE ongoing ownership saga at Leeds United took its latest bizarre twist over the weekend with drinks giant Red Bull forced to deny claims from former owner Massimo Cellino that talks about a £60m takeover were at an advanced stage.

Mr Cellino was quoted as saying “There is an offer. I didn’t know about it but I spoke just now with Giampaolo Caboni, one of the directors of Eleonora Sport.

“He said Red Bull has made an offer for the club. The shareholder will have to think about it. I don’t know what they will do.”

Red Bull is heavily into sport and owns three clubs – Red Bull Salzburg in the company’s native Austria, RB Leipzig in Germany and American club New York Red Bulls.

However that was rebuffed by Red Bull, which said: “Another involvement in football is not currently planned.”

Mr Cellino is serving the final weeks of his ban preventing him from having any management role in the Championship club and has said he will not return to run Leeds United when his ban is completed.

Leeds United have endured a difficult season and before Christmas their Championship status look precarious, but they are now effectively safe in 14th place with five games remaining.