Barnsley CEO 'quite confident' over new Oakwell lease and dismisses takeover rumours
The current arrangement is due to finish in 2027. Oakwell is jointly owned by Barnsley MBC and the Cryne family.
El-Ahmad said: "We are having good discussions and I am positive. With negotiations you never know, but I would hope at some point this season."I am quite confident we are having relevant discussions where I can see an end.”
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Hide AdOn what the ideal arrangement would be, he added: "To stay here for many, many years to come."
In the previous tenure of ex joint-chairmen Paul Conway and Chien Lee, Barnsley abandoned plans to buy Oakwell amid a legal dispute with the Cryne family.
Back in June, the club's new-look board said they were not trying to buy the council’s half of Oakwell but stressed they were making progress in re-negotiating a rent agreement.
El-Ahmad added: "When we have agreed on the lease, then we will explain more.”
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Hide AdEl-Ahmad has also dismissed talk of possible takeover interest from a mystery English group and says the club's board are fully committed.
He added: "No-one has contacted me or anyone at the board. It's just a rumour. I don't get that feeling at all. None of the discussions are in and around selling the club.”
The new-look board's financial commitment saw them inject £1m to help with operational costs in the summer and a further £3.2m of equity arrived last month to help see the club through to January.
El-Ahmad added: "They put in more money into the club to continue to help with the operational costs. As Neerav (Parekh - chairman) said in the fans’ forum, the club is not going bankrupt.”