Leeds United are pushing towards ensuring Premier League promotion and their ownership has also been gearing up to be in the top flight. The club’s plans for the future are dependent on being a Premier League club and a return to the top flight will boost their development. However, it appears the Leeds owners are also keen to spread their wings and invest in other football clubs shortly. The multi-club model is becoming more prevalent in European football and Leeds are already a tiny part of the Red Bull group of football clubs. It seems Leeds chairman Paraag Marather wants his fingers in another pie.
Marathe has been a good owner for Leeds United and despite some financial problems last summer, he backed Daniel Farke in the market and helped him to rebuild the squad.
The new Leeds owners, the 49ers, have been clear about their goal of turning the club into a regular Premier League side and their future plans depend on the finances that come from being in the top flight.
While fans are never completely pleased with any owner, the current custodians have been backed by the supporters and Leeds appear to be on the right track again under Marathe and his people.
However, a potential flashpoint could be on the horizon as Marathe is now part of an attempt to take over the Scottish giants Rangers with the promise of fresh investment into the club.
The Leeds United chairman wants his hands on Rangers
Marathe has been a solid figure behind the scenes for Leeds and has been backing Farke to take the club back to the Premier League over the last two seasons.
However, according to the Scottish Daily Record, he is very much in the middle of a takeover bid for Scottish giants Rangers who are seeking fresh investment.
The Leeds chairman has been identified as a key man behind the bid to take charge of the Scottish giants by the 49ers in the coming days and weeks.
Top-level discussions over a multi-million-pound investment into Rangers started at the turn of the year and the negotiations have reached an advanced stage.
If an agreement gets worked out, Rangers would benefit from a huge cash injection into the football club with Marathe playing a key role behind the scenes.
It is understood the Leeds chairman is part of the consortium of American investors who are pushing to get their hands on Rangers and restore them to the top of Scottish football.
While any takeover attempts require time and due diligence, Marathe’s involvement in this one will come as a shock for many amongst the Leeds United fanbase.
What does this mean for Leeds?
Leeds fans will keep their eyes peeled on proceedings in Glasgow as Marathe’s involvement in another football club will have some ramifications at Elland Road.
The Whites are expecting to play Premier League football next season and the squad would need major investment in the summer transfer window to build a team for the top flight.
The Leeds chairman getting involved in a bid to take over another big club, albeit in Scotland, would worry Leeds fans given his attention would be divided.
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The 49ers have a strong executive team at Leeds and Marather’s involvement at Rangers wouldn’t affect the day-to-day running of the football club.
However, if investment into Rangers would mean Marathe will tighten the purse for Leeds in the summer, it would enrage the Elland Road faithful.
Marathe and the 49ers must come clean and clarify their stand before rumours and speculation take hold of a jittery Leeds fanbase ahead of a big summer transfer window.
