West Brom are now closer to a takeover than ever before under Guochuan Lai, with parties with links to the USA interested, according to Tom Collomosse.
The Daily Mail journalist reported on Wednesday (15 November) that the Baggies’ takeover is closer than ever before in Lai’s tenure, with the price to acquire the club sitting at around £60 million, including paying off the MSD loan.
There are three parties interested in purchasing the Baggies, with all three potential buyers having “strong links” to the United States. It had previously been reported that there weren’t potential new owners holding an interest from the Middle East [Daily Mail, 20 September].
Managing director Mark Miles had confirmed weeks ago that non-disclosure agreements were in place and sports lawyer David Hinchcliffe was spotted next to Lai at the Baggies’ clash with Hull City [The Liquidator Podcast, 5 November] so it seems as though a takeover deal is progressing as hoped.
Progress being made
After a few years of regression in the Championship, it appears that West Brom’s time under the reign of Lai is finally coming to an end as the Baggies look set to be under new ownership in the coming months.
Obviously, nobody will be putting out the bunting until a deal is confirmed, after all this remains the world of football where deals fall through at the 11th hour repeatedly even after contracts are drawn up and deals are agreed upon. Until a takeover is confirmed, no supporters will want to get their hopes to high.
The fact that more and more is slowly being revealed about the deal can only be viewed as a positive as Albion supporters learn more about their club’s latest custodian. A £60 million fee is no small amount so hopefully whoever is willing to pay it will continue to invest in the club.
With the January transfer window edging closer, it would be amazing if a deal could be agreed in the coming weeks so that Carlos Corberan will finally have some backing to invest and add to his squad in his hunt for the top six places and the play-offs.
Just a couple of quality additions would take this West Brom side from promotion hopefuls to genuine play-off contenders.
In other West Brom news, one journalist has tipped Jeremy Sarmiento to step up during Grady Diangana’s AFCON absence.
