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Billions not Millions
#1
Looks like maybe it is happening ?

West Bromwich Albion will become the latest Premier League club to fall into foreign hands in the next fortnight, reports Neil Moxley in the Sunday People.

Owner Jeremy Peace is ‘close’ to sealing a £150million deal for the Baggies as he brings to an end a process that has been on-going for the past two years.

The newcomers are reportedly monied Chinese – and will have significant cash to spend on a club that has been prudently run since the out-going chairman assumed control 15 years ago.

Peace himself is set to quit with chief executive Mark Jenkins likely to follow. It is understood that sporting director Richard Garlick could move into a boardroom position to help smooth the transition.

At present, exact details are difficult to glean with the Baggies’ hierarchy determined to keep as much information as possible under wraps.

However, even though it is relatively late in the summer to complete a handover, West Brom have been finalising their arrangements for several weeks.

They have been to sanctioning a deal with investors from the Far East before. But a source said: ‘You’ll be able to measure their wealth in billions, not millions.’

Rumous have been circulating the Black Country for some time that Wang Jianlin – China’s richest man – has been looking to build up a stake in an English club.

He already has a 20 per cent interest in Atletico Madrid and a move into the Premier League would be the logical next step.

West Brom chief Tony Pulis has been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, adding only Matt Phillips from QPR to his squad, along with re-signing James Morrison who was able to quit the club on a free transfer.

It fits that with negotiations taking place in the background that Peace – along with Spurs’ Daniel Levy – is possibly one of the most hard-nosed owners in the top-flight – has been keeping his cash close to his chest in case of a possible exit.

Incredibly, when the deal is confirmed, it means that every west Midlands club in the top two divisions of English football is likely to have owners from the Far East.

In fact, the only major clubs in the Premier League and Championship with English owners will be the Coates family at Stoke City and Mel Morris at Derby County.

It is touch and go whether West Brom will make their announcement before rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers who are also in the midst of a takeover.

Super agent Jorge Mendes – representative of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho among others – is part of the group attempting to purchase the club from building magnate Steve Morgan.

That deal to is nearing completion. However, it is understood that the widely circulated name of Robin Li – founder of internet search engine Baidu – is NOT the buyer.

Li has been linked with Wolves but sources close to the club have indicated that the country’s sixth most wealthy individual will not be following up acquiring a controlling stake in AC Milan by adding Wolves to his portfolio of sports’ businesses.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/n...er-8434124?
2x Premier League Champ 1x Championship Winner and World cup Winner
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#2
Believe it when we see it.
The Mirror Group aren't exactly the most reliable of sources for accurate information.
If true, no more pork scratchin's and Bovril. More like chicken chop suey and rice wine!

Whistle
Stairs likes this post
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#3
I think any Chinese take over is worrying even if Wang Jianlin is worth 35.5 Billion USD........Look at what's happened at Blues, now Wolves are being lined up. Villa are Chinese owned and I don't see them tearing up any trees in the Transfer market.

Vincent Tan changed the Bluebirds of Cardiff into RED, the bloke at Hull wants to change their name.

Sounds daft but I would prefer an Indian Buyer as they are more closely linked with England and English traditions as we are with them.

I'm also worried that if these owners come in and start buying mega stars (BUT WON'T EVERYONE WITH BILLIONAIRE OWNERS) that season ticket prices will go through the roof and stop the likes of us genuine fans buying them for us to be replaced by richer glory grabbers. Maybe I'm delusional and need my medication.....NURSE!! BEDPAN!! Blush Confused Confused
drewks likes this post
BLACK COUNTRY BY BIRTH, ALBION BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND MY OLD MAN

You go in the cage? cage goes in the water, sharks in the water....Our Shark Cry

Ultrinque Paratus
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#4
Local Press running with it now ..........

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/840257022?-11200:789:0
2x Premier League Champ 1x Championship Winner and World cup Winner
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#5
Trusted ITK
Steven B
‏@StevenWBA
Expecting more regarding #wba takeover within next 72 hours. Richard Garlick/Nicky Hammond prepared for the transition. Just a case of when.
2x Premier League Champ 1x Championship Winner and World cup Winner
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#6
(17-07-2016, 11:34)Worldclassalbion Wrote: I think any Chinese take over is worrying even if Wang Jianlin is worth 35.5 Billion USD........Look at what's happened at Blues, now Wolves are being lined up. Villa are Chinese owned and I don't see them tearing up any trees in the Transfer market.

Vincent Tan changed the Bluebirds of Cardiff into RED, the bloke at Hull wants to change their name.

Sounds daft but I would prefer an Indian Buyer as they are more closely linked with England and English traditions as we are with them.

I'm also worried that if these owners come in and start buying mega stars (BUT WON'T EVERYONE WITH BILLIONAIRE OWNERS) that season ticket prices will go through the roof and stop the likes of us genuine fans buying them for us to be replaced by richer glory grabbers. Maybe I'm delusional and need my medication.....NURSE!! BEDPAN!! Blush  Confused  Confused

I really get your point Worldclass, and agree with you. Is it inevitable that most/all of this country's top clubs will be owned by overseas billionaires with no real feeling about the game and the club's traditions? Can the FA not legislate and bring in some control over this, or has the horse already bolted? I fear it has.
Obviously the best outcome - if an overseas buyer IS to take control - is for him to look at the very thing that he is buying, and to respect the people who hold it dear, and to develop sympathetically. Sounds a little naive to expect that from a billionaire though, eh? Being a fan himself will JP encourage this in SOME sort of degree in takeover talks? Let's hope so.
BaggieMan likes this post
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#7
Drewks/WorldClass, I have to agree with all you have said and I too am apprehensive about what will happen to our beloved club and can only hope and pray for a successful, positive and understanding outcome.

It seems obvious that English football and particularly the Premier League is held in a higher regard overseas, particularly in the Mid and Far East than it is in the UK, otherwise, why do we not see mega wealthy potential British owners showing interest.

We all have our opinion on the playing policies of Pulis and management of JP, but this foreign buyer scenario could, potentially, become a nightmare for us all. On the other hand, given this mans wealth, we could possibly become a second Manchester City with real aspirations of success. Untold wealth can be both good and bad - good if funds  are available to attract 5 star players and a progressive Head Coach. On the other hand, could it be a 'Vincent Tan' scenario with re-naming, re-shirting and re-branding?

Time will tell but I just hope JP as a 'fan' can see further than the £150m he will draw from any sale.

(Anyone wish for a return to the old days of Bovril, 5 Park Drive, and a 5/-d Steak & Kidney pie at half-time ?) Wink
Worldclassalbion, drewks, 4evaabaggie And 1 others like this post
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#8
Baggieman, Like your post but not wishing for a return to bovril, 5 park drive or steak and kidney pies, I don't like bovril or steak and kidney pies and i don't smoke ...... how about a return to safe standing, cup runs and passing football.
BaggieMan likes this post
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#9
(20-07-2016, 16:11)4evaabaggie Wrote: Baggieman,  Like your post but not wishing for a return to bovril, 5 park drive or steak and kidney pies, I don't like bovril or steak and kidney pies and i don't smoke ...... how about a return to safe standing, cup runs and passing football.

Nah I am with Baggieman Whistle
4evaabaggie likes this post
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#10
Salop, what about a return to villa in division three, can we agree on that one.

SOTV
Salopbaggie likes this post
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