Guessing game continues over Leeds investment talks

News that Leeds are in talks with prospective candidates has led to frenzied conjecture across a variety of social platforms, with the most fevered speculation centred on interest from the United States and the Middle East.

Since confirming discussions were under way, the club have remained tight-lipped over the identity of interested parties, or of any progress being made.

The picture is expected to become clearer before the weekend.

One prospective investor visited the club’s facilities last week.

The leading contender is understood to be a Chicago-based group, though that is not fronted by Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of baseball’s Chicago White Sox and basketball’s Chicago Bulls.

The 76-year-old accountant and lawyer has put millions into his two clubs but a statement from the White Sox said last night: “There is no interest from the Reinsdorf family in becoming involved in an English football club.”

MLS side Chicago Fire owner Andrew Hauptman also said yesterday there was “no truth whatsoever” in reports linking him to the West Yorkshire club, while Club 9 Sports of Chicago denied any interest earlier in the week.

Cubs owner Thomas S Ricketts is another name in the frame, and intriguingly, as of last night was the only Chicago sports club owner linked to Leeds not to have publically denied an interest.

Ricketts, 49, is an investment banker whose family is worth $1b. He purchased the Cubs – one of the most famous names in baseball – in October 2009 for $900m. He is currently one of four major shareholders of Derby County and whether he wants to branch out alone and explore an interest in Leeds remains to be seen.

Another name to emerge last night was Neil Bluhm, a Chicago-based real-estate and casino magnate.

The 74-year-old is worth $2b and is believed to be keen to expand his sports portfolio. He has already held stakes in the Bulls and the White Sox.

Away from North America, another name linked to Leeds United yesterday was Kuwaiti businessman Fawaz al-Hasawi who was quoted as saying he was close to acquiring a “second tier English club” with “a big history in football”.

Mr al-Hasawi – who made his fortune from companies in refrigeration and electro mechanical engineering – recently resigned as chairman of local club Qadsia.

With Nottingham Forest actively seeking fresh investment through London stockbrokers Seymour Pierce, their name was automatically thrown into the hat alongside Leeds. Sources in the Midlands suggest Forest are a long way from negotiations with any investor, let alone close to finalising a deal.

Yet there was nothing to suggest Mr al-Hasawi’s interest in Leeds is concrete. To add further fuel to the fire he said he would not reveal the name of the club until the end of June.

Fan reaction at Elland Road and across social media platforms suggests there is an appetite for change. Leeds chairman Ken Bates currently holds a controlling interest in the club having acquired 72.85 per cent of United’s shares last year.

Bates purchased the stake for an undisclosed sum from former owners Forward Sports Fund (FSF), buying FSF’s interest through another offshore firm, Outro Limited.

A spokesman for Leeds United Supporters’ Trust said yesterday: “I would imagine things will become clearer by the end of the week.”

LUST board members are not currently banned from buying tickets at Elland Road as suggested in yesterday’s article.