Leeds United owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzani has outlined his plans to take over Serie A outfit Sampdoria. The Italian is in Genoa to play a leading role in Gestio Capital’s bid to buy Sampdoria, who have already been relegated from the top flight and risk bankruptcy if their considerable debts are not paid.
Radrizzani was spotted at the club’s training ground in Genoa on Monday morning as he tries to put a deal in place to save the club and he spoke to reporters at the time to express his optimism. He has now opened up a little more on his ambitions with Sampdoria, who were considered to be one of Europe’s elite clubs during the early 1990s.
His appearance in Genoa came less than 24 hours after Leeds United’s defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium, and the timing of it has provoked an unwelcome response from many Whites fans on social media. However, his interest in the Italian club might just be the clearest indication yet that he is preparing to leave Elland Road, with a bid from 49ers Enterprises being mooted.
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“We came to Genoa above all to get to know the board of directors, to introduce ourselves to them as professionals and to talk about our background in sport and the media,” Radrizzani is quoted as saying by Il Secolo XIX via SampNews24, in regards to his interest in Sampdoria. “Then explain our project, or rather our industrial plan for Sampdoria,” he said.
“We are ambitious. Aware of the history, culture, brand of this company and of the passion and strength of its fans, who constitute a heritage of great value. We wanted to get to know these structures, there is so much to do, but there is also so much quality.”
Radrizzani fell short with his initial offer to purchase the club and he has since returned with a new bid, with the clock ticking on the May 30 deadline that has been set for the payment of unpaid wages. According to a report by The Athletic, missing that deadline would result in a four point penalty being issued next season.
“Our second proposal is structured differently, in terms of financing terms,” he added. "I also confirm that I am in contact with a series of investors potentially interested in joining our group, to make our plan for Sampdoria even more competitive.
“We are trying to speed up as much as possible. We have presented the proposal, now we await an answer in the next few hours.”
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