Leeds reject £7m bid and left puzzled over Radebe link

LEEDS UNITED insist it will be business as usual today after an initial bid of £7m for a controlling interest in the Championship club was turned down.

By Richard Sutcliffe Monday, 18th November 2013, 7:57 am

Salem Patel

A consortium of Yorkshire businessmen – which, contrary to reports, does not include one-time Hull City chairman Adam Pearson – was behind an offer that, if successful, would have seen further payments scheduled on top of the initial £7m sum. It was immediately turned down by owners, GFH Capital.

Lucas Radebe, who spent the weekend playing for a Kaiser Chiefs Legends XI against Liverpool in his native South Africa, has been strongly linked with the group but, as yet, the club’s former defender has not spoken publicly on the matter.

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The Yorkshire Post has learned, though, that Radebe has been in talks with Leeds for several months over the possibility of taking an equity share.

However, these discussions – the most recent of which took place on Radebe’s visit to England last month – are not believed to be linked to the Yorkshire-based consortium that made their move in recent days.

It is not clear how much of a stake in United the unsuccessful weekend bid targeted, but GFH Capital, who have made no secret of their desire to bring investors on board during their 11 months at the helm, were not tempted.

A spokesman stressed last night that the club hierarchy would not be deflected from their on-going efforts to revive United’s fortunes.

He added: “We are watching with a mixture of bemusement and interest the reports suggesting any credible takeover bid has been made involving former captain Lucas Radebe.

“No serious approach has been made by any members reportedly concerned with this consortium.”

As if to underline this stance, club director Salem Patel, one of the key figures involved in brokering the purchase of Leeds from Ken Bates in December last year, tweeted to managing director David Haigh: “Silly season is upon us early, it seems.”

The identity of the consortium members remains a closely guarded secret, though they are all believed to be from the White Rose county.

Speaking exclusively to the Yorkshire Post last night, Pearson, currently chairman of Hull FC rugby league club, said: “If Lucas was successful with his consortium, there might be something to talk about at that point. But, as we stand, I am not involved.

“In fact, I haven’t seen Lucas for a year. Leeds is a fantastic club and if there is a chance in the future to become involved then I would be very interested.

“What I will say is that if that does prove to be the case then it would in no way affect my involvement at Hull FC. I remain committed to the club and believe we have an excellent executive team capable of taking Hull FC forward.”

As for Leeds, the suggestion of Radebe, a player from the modern era who enjoys a similar status to the great Revie team in the eyes of supporters, becoming involved in the club’s future has caused great excitement among the United faithful. Adding further intrigue is the former defender having been in discussions with GFH Capital over his possible involvement for the best part of a year.

It is understood that the most recent meeting took place during Radebe’s October visit to Yorkshire, which was arranged to coincide with the release of the paperback version of his biography.

During last month’s trip, he also attended the Birmingham City game and was afforded his usual warm welcome by the Leeds fans.