• Chen Yansheng presented on Thursday after finalising purchase • ‘I am sure the city of Barcelona can have two strong clubs’

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Espanyol’s new Chinese owner says he wants the Barcelona-based club to compete in the Champions League “within three years.”

The businessman Chen Yansheng was presented as the Spanish club’s owner on Thursday after finalising his purchase of a controlling 54% stake.

His says his ambition is to turn Espanyol into a rival of Barcelona. “I am sure the city of Barcelona can have two strong clubs,” said Chen, adding that he hopes “to have the club debt-free and in the Champions League in three years”.

Espanyol has never played in the Champions League. They twice reached the final of the Uefa Cup, the current Europa League, losing on both occasions in a penalty shootout.