Leeds United fans have been reading the rumours of their chairman leading an American consortium’s bid to buy Scottish giants Rangers over the last couple of weeks. Speculation has swirled about what it could mean for Leeds and Paraag Marathe’s involvement at Elland Road as they close in securing a return to the Premier League. The Leeds chairman recently addressed the rumours without really clarifying anything and there is real uncertainty in the Whites fanbase about what to think about Marathe’s charge to buy the Scottish giants in the coming months. It seems the talks are rapidly progressing and there is now a deal in place.
Marathe is only part of the American consortium, which is being spearheaded by American businessman Andrew Cavenagh in their charge to buy Ranger,s but the Leeds United chairman is a big part.
He is on board presumably for his expertise of handling another big club in Leeds and his experience would prove vital if they eventually take charge of the Scottish giants.
Rumours have swirled about what it could mean for both clubs if Marathe plays an active role behind the scenes at Rangers if the Americans succeed in buying them,
There is confidence that an agreement would be done and dusted by next summer and it has been claimed that a deal is now in place between the two sides.
Agree in principle for Leeds United chief to buy Rangers
Talks have been taking place since the turn of the year between the representatives of the American consortium and the Rangers board and negotiations have rapidly progressed.
According to Sky Sports, an agreement in principle is in place for a deal to acquire 51 percent of Rangers between the club and the American consortium, which Marathe is part of.
It has been claimed that the prospective new owners will now carry out due diligence over the next few months, but they are expected to be in charge before the 2025/26 season.
Former Rangers chairman Dave King, who is the single largest shareholder of Rangers with just under 13 percent, is open to selling his stake to the American consortium.
Douglas Park (11.54%), George Taylor (10.22%), Stuart Gibson (9.53%), Julian Wolhardt (9.53%), John Halsted (9.53%) and John Bennett (7.11%) are among the others willing to part with all or some of their stake.
However, for now, a deal is only in place for the Americans and Marathe to take charge of the club by buying 51 percent of the shares at Rangers.
The two sides are now drafting the legal framework while the new prospective owners carry out due diligence over the course of the next few months.
But there is now an increasingly likely chance that Marathe will get involved at one more British club apart from Leeds by the start of the 2025/26 season.
What does it mean for Leeds if they become part of a multi-club model?
At this stage, there is little to suggest that Marathe’s and 49ers’ involvement at Rangers will have any immediate material impact on Leeds in any consequential ways.
It is unclear whether the Leeds chairman will take an active role in the behind-the-scenes operations at Rangers once the takeover is completed and ratified.
Speculation has been ongoing about how the two clubs could get entangled, including the takeover bid coming under threat if Leeds don’t get promoted.
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Some have also suggested that if Leeds reach the Premier League, they would become far too financially important for Marathe and the 49ers and Rangers could become their feeder club.
A few have also claimed that the two clubs could squabble over the same budget if Marathe tightens the financial screws but everything is still under the realm of speculation.
However, it seems likely that Leeds are set to become a part of a multi-club model, which would involve Rangers once the takeover goes through if the 49ers remain in charge.
In a small way, they are already a minor part of the Red Bull Group through their minority ownership, but this would be under the umbrella of the 49ers.
If Leeds reach the Premier League, they would be a financial behemoth and would likely be the crown jewel in the 49ers’ multi-club model for the money involved is not comparable to Scottish football.
However, through Rangers, the 49ers will get a taste of European football and there could be potential conflict if Leeds qualify for Europe in the future.
A lot is still not clear about how the relationship between the two clubs will evolve if Marathe and the 49ers get actively involved at Ibrox.
The Leeds supporters are on an edge as the summer could prove massive if they get promoted and they would want some sort of clarification from their chairman.
