Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani has opened up on his delight after striking a deal for the purchase of Sampdoria. Radrizzani has been in Italy over the last couple of weeks, trying to thrash out a deal to buy the Genoa-based club, who have been relegated from Serie A this season.
The Whites owner, who has been working alongside business partner Matteo Manfredi of Gestio Capital, had reportedly seen two bids rejected to buy Sampdoria, but the news came through on Tuesday evening that an agreement has been reached. Sampdoria risked bankruptcy if a takeover was not completed, with deadlines for certain debts to paid being put in place at the end of this month.
However, the deal has been confirmed by the club and Radrizzani has chosen to comment.
READ MORE: Andrea Radrizzani told of £300m Leeds United takeover blow after relegation
"Now we can say it,” Radrizzani is quoted as saying in a Gestio Capital press release. “It was a real battle, but we can finally say we made it.
“We are nothing short of enthusiastic to be able to announce that we have completed the acquisition of this extraordinary club. The history and the Sampdoria coat of arms are safe and I think my happiness is that of all the people who were suffering for these colours.
“My thanks right now go above all to all those people who worked tirelessly to ensure that this agreement found a just conclusion and in particular I have to thank Matteo (Manfredi) and the lawyer De Gennaro without them none of this would have been possible. From today we move on and I personally can't wait to get to work.”
What the deal means in terms of Radrizzani’s future at Leeds is currently unknown. The Whites were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday after their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and that complicates the reported agreement between Radrizzani and minority shareholders 49ers Enterprises.
49ers Enterprises were said to have a deal in place for the purchase of United this summer, but it was dependent on the club staying in the Premier League. It remains to be seen whether that deal can be reignited at a price that reflects the club’s Championship status.
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