Cellino acquires former owner’s stake in Leeds United
CHAIRMAN of Leeds United Massimo Cellino has acquired former owner Gulf Finance House’s 25% stake in the club.
The move means the Italian business man owns the entirety of Leeds United, in a move that would make a takeover of the club more appealing to potential buyers.
Bahrain-based GFH acquired the club from Ken Bates in 2012, selling a 75% stake to Mr Cellino in 2014.
Since then the club has failed to meet Cellino’s ambitions of a return to Premier League and has been plagued by numerous manager changes, employment tribunals and blunders from directors.
In a statement on its website Leeds United said: “The Club is delighted to confirm that Leeds United Football Club is now 100% owned by Eleonora Sport Limited, it having purchased all of the shares previously held by GFH Capital.”
There are reportedly three offers on the table for the club, from Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani, founder of London-based sports media company MP & Silva, a Chinese consortium aided by Harrogate-born businessman Steve Tappin and a third undisclosed candidate for ownership.
