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Swansea City Supporters’ Trust have received an offer from the club’s American owners which could see the fans’ group sell up to half of their stake in the club.

The Trust, who own 21.1 per cent of the Swans, confirmed the offer during a fans forum at the Liberty Stadium, which served as the first point of consultation with members over the proposed deal.

The offer is for majority shareholders Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan to immediately buy five per cent of the Trust’s stake - some 47,500 shares - at the same rate as that received by the selling shareholders during their takeover last summer.

Furthermore, if the club were to retain Premier League status, the Americans would acquire an additional 0.5 per cent every year over a five-year period.

Plus there would be an option to potentially buy another three per cent of the Trust’s stake at some point in the next two-and-a-half years. Adding up to a total of 10.5 per cent.

If the sale were to be approved by the Trust’s membership, they would be required to drop any legal action relating to last summer’s takeover .

Trust chairman Phil Sumbler outlined that the organisation had received advice from a London QC that they had a strong case but that legal action - on which the Trust have already spent over £30,000 - should be a last resort.

The Trust board have recommended members support the sale, but a final decision will only be taken once all members vote in a ballot and Thursday’s meeting was the opening step in the consultation process, although the Trust indicated a ballot could happen reasonably imminently.

'In line with our broader aims'

However, members have been informed that chairman Huw Jenkins will be also involved in the purchase of their share.

The Trust board and their members have made clear their views towards Jenkins over his role in regards to the takeover of the club last year. The deal would include safeguards for the Trust in the form of ‘tag-along’ rights.

This would ensure that in any future sale of the football club the Trust would have to be included in discussions, having claimed they were excluded from talks the season before last.

The Trust would retain a supporter on the board - a position currently held by Stuart McDonald - and an associate director - a role filled by Will Morris.

(Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency)

“Whilst there will be further legal contractual discussions if this offer is accepted by the members, the mentioned details of this offer will not change,” said Mr Sumbler.

“It is the recommendation of the Trust board that we accept this offer as we feel that it is in line with our broader aims and provides some important benefits to the Trust and its members.

“This is the start of the consultation period and there is no final decision we can make without a full consultation and ballot of our full membership in the coming weeks.

However we wanted to take this opportunity to outline to you our position and recommendations.”

The Trust have also been asked to consider reinvesting 20 per cent of the proceeds from any share sale back into the club in the event of stadium expansion.