24 Feb 2012 22:04:00
Aston Villa "subject to takeover bid"
Oil rich Qatar to invest in Premier League club
Aston Villa are to become the latest football club to fall into the hands of the oil rich nation of Qatar.
Sky Sports News understands, The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) have held preliminary discussions with Aston Villa Chairman Randy Lerner with a view to a potential £150m buyout.
Lerner had previously stated that he would be unwilling to sell the football club, unless personal circumstances dictated, however it seems he has been tempted to sell.
It is not known when the takeover could take place but it it thought the QIA is awaiting for Villa to secure their Premier League status before going public with the deal.
A source who did not wish to be named said. "Randy never wanted to sell Villa, but the Qataris will be able to make Villa successful. He will however, only agree to the sale if assurances over the long term future of the club are given"
If the deal is completed, Aston Villa will join the mega-rich elite league of the Premiership. Currently, Manchester City's owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has an estimated wealth of over £20bn but it is believed that the cash available to QIA surpasses this amount.
Neither Aston Villa or The Qatar Investment Authority were available to comment last night.
This was pulled about 10 minutes ago from the sky sports website after being on for only a couple of minutes
Mysteriously not on the website anymore...
Fair play going to that amount of effort to lie. Must of took you ages to write that "sky sports" report. Joker.
Villa is not for sale.
I have confidence in Lerner & McLeish so just give them your backing instead of making up petty lies just for the sake of the team.
Kev
Im all for it at least We will get a good manager and can pay the top wages for top players like Lerner said he would when he brought the club.... Swapping a mercinary for oil rich mercinarys.
Kev you cant no a thing about football if you have confidence in McLeish the worse VILLA manager ever
We are crap no more VP or merchandise for me until that clown has gone, RL probably wants to do it sooner because i am not the obnly disgruntled fan
Totally agree. Played Wigan and couldn't even beat them. Only Shay Givern made sure got a point and now Bent is injured as well. Quatari's aint going to buy us. Were not a sound investment. Falling attendances and the worst football I have ever seen from a Villa team in over 40 years of following them. Dream on if you think were going to get bought and no more crap about given McLeish a chance. He is killing our team with his negative tactics and fans and responding by staying away in droves.
I carnt wait to get Heskey 18years of hurt, put on my macron shirt next season....