Currently sitting at the top of the Championship, United could be in line for an injection of funds to bolster their Premier League challenge
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has admitted that he would be open to accepting investment from the Qatari owners of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Whites went into the coronavirus-imposed season recess at the top of the Championship one point clear of West Bromwich Albion with 37 games played.
Having missed out on promotion by a whisker in 2018-19, hopes are high that this time round the side coached by Marcelo Bielsa will seal their place in the Premier League should the rest of the campaign proceed as planned following the end of the pandemic.
Radrizzani has been looking for alternative funding sources for months as he looks to establish Leeds back in the top flight, with Qatari Sports Investment a prime candidate, and he reiterated on Thursday that a deal with PSG CEO Nasser Al Khelaifi could still happen.
“These are rumours that have been ongoing for more than a year now. What is true is that we have a great relationship on a personal level, there’s a desire to do something together maybe even in football but there’s nothing concrete at this time,” the Italian revealed to Gianluca Di Marzio .
“In the last few weeks everything took a back seat. My desire to have a great Leeds that is a protagonist in the Premier League and to do so we will need partners on top of the San Francisco 49ers, we’ll evaluate this when we are in that league.”
Radrizzani first made reference to the QSI links in October, when he mentioned his strong links to Al Khelaifi – while adding that it was not Leeds’ sole option for financing.
“I have been approached by more than 20 parties and I have selected these three,” he told the Times.
“The option of Qatar Sports Investment – first of all they are friends; we have had a good relationship for a long time. Secondly, they have the possibility to allow this club to compete with Manchester City, so for the fans that could be a fantastic opportunity.
“The second is based in America, he’s a big fan of Leeds United since he was a child, and I like that. Another one is the owner of an Italian club. With another club you can create synergy to be more competitive and to target the Premier League. We could maybe get a loan to increase the quality of the team.”
Leeds last played in the Premier League back in 2004, and even spent three years in League One at their lowest ebb before returning to the Championship, which they have called home continuously since 2010.
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