Consortium makes an offer to Leeds
LEEDS, England -- Leeds United have received an offer from a consortium headed by Sheikh Abdel Rahman Ben Moubarak Al-Khalifa he has said.
Sheikh Al-Khalifa, a member of the Bahraini Royal Family, said the consortium, made up of two Saudi Arabian businessmen and an Asiatic company, had put the offer to the Leeds board.
"We are awaiting a reply in the next few days," Al-Khalifa, who is a lifelong Leeds fan, said.
"The two Saudis are notable personalities and there are no Arabic shareholders in the Asiatic company.
"Another group has entered the race and also presented an offer to the club.
"I would urge the Leeds directors to make a decision as quickly as possible so it would allow us to buy new players when the transfer window opens on January 1," added the Sheikh, who refused to divulge any financial details.
Sheikh Al-Khalifa said the improved performance of the team on the pitch in their two latest matches - beating highflying Charlton 1-0 and a drawing 1-1 with leaders Chelsea - showed what a morale boost his interest in the club had.
"Those results bear witness to the relief of the players that the announcement of an interest in investing in the club has had," he said.
Prime investment
Leeds chairman Professor John McKenzie had said earlier that the club would be a prime investment for whoever wished to buy it.
McKenzie, who replaced the freespending Peter Ridsdale in the post, believes Leeds are worth up to 60 million pounds ($90 million dollars) even though the club is reported to be 78 million pounds in debt.
McKenzie, who has until January 19 to either find a buyer for the troubled club or to negotiate and secure a longer-term deal with the creditors, believes either Sheikh Al-Khalifa or former deputy chairman Allan Leighton would be getting a good deal.
Leighton, also chairman of the postal service in Great Britain, resigned from the Leeds board earlier last week, fueling that suggestions he was poised to put together a financial rescue package.
"We are now trading at break-even, having managed to cut 20 million pounds out of our costs," said McKenzie. " I think the opportunity is there and there are certain people who are really interested in a Premiership club.
"My concern is Leeds having a successful team in the future and being properly financed."
