Venezuelan eyes Villa
A mystery South American billionaire has opened talks with Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis about buying a major stake in the club.
The man representing the unknown buyer, sports lawyer Mel Goldberg, has already spoken with Ellis about buying a 29.9% stake in Villa which would make him the largest overall share-holder.
Goldberg said that further negotiations are planned in the next week when 79-year-old Ellis returns from holiday.
He is refusing at this stage to reveal the identity of the Venezuelan investor for what he describes as "security reasons".
Goldberg confirmed that his client had tried to buy a stake in Chelsea before Roman Abramovich became the new owner at Stamford Bridge.
And Goldberg admitted that the person he is representing is a former Fifa referee, who has made millions from several ventures including property development.
My client is not looking to take over the club, kick everyone out, change the manager and start choosing the team
Mel Goldberg
He also revealed that if the deal goes through there are no plans to remove Ellis as chairman.
Goldberg said: "The situation is that my client and his consortium had a bid to buy just under 30% of Chelsea blown out of the water by the Russian deal.
"Roman Abramovich offered much more money than us and to pay off the club debt which we were not interested in doing.
"My client is a very substantial person and he is still interested in investing in an English football club.
"For security reasons, he wants to keep a low profile but he is a football fan with a good knowledge of the English Premiership.
"There are a few options being considered but Villa fit the bill in terms of the sort of club he is looking to buy.
"It's a club with solid foundations and run on a sound financial basis. He likes the fact it owns its ground and has a long history.
I can't say if he is going to pump £100m into Villa and buy Ronaldo - but my client is a billionaire
Mel Goldberg
"He sees it as a club which has under-achieved in the last few years but could do better.
"Mr Ellis is on holiday but I had an amicable chat with him over the phone last Wednesday about the possibility of my client buying into the club.
"Things are at an early stage but I plan to meet Mr Ellis when he returns from his holiday in the next few days.
"There is no hurry from my client's point of view but if possible he would like to have a deal sewn for the start of the new season."
Goldberg added: "Mr Ellis has told me he does not want to stand down as chairman. We are happy for the chairman to continue. In fact, we don't want anyone to step down.
"My client is not looking to take over the club, kick everyone out, change the manager and start choosing the team.
"What he wants to have is a representative on the board of directors. As he is not in this country most of the time, he wants me as a sports lawyer to represent his interests as a director on the board.
"If that is possible, a deal will happen and, from my conversation with Mr Ellis last week, he seems happy with this.
"I can't say if he is going to pump £100m into Villa and buy Ronaldo - but my client is a billionaire and there would be a significant injection of money. I'm sure David O'Leary would like a few more bob to spend."
A mystery South American billionaire has opened talks with Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis about buying a major stake in the club.
The man representing the unknown buyer, sports lawyer Mel Goldberg, has already spoken with Ellis about buying a 29.9% stake in Villa which would make him the largest overall share-holder.
Goldberg said that further negotiations are planned in the next week when 79-year-old Ellis returns from holiday.
He is refusing at this stage to reveal the identity of the Venezuelan investor for what he describes as "security reasons".
Goldberg confirmed that his client had tried to buy a stake in Chelsea before Roman Abramovich became the new owner at Stamford Bridge.
And Goldberg admitted that the person he is representing is a former Fifa referee, who has made millions from several ventures including property development.
My client is not looking to take over the club, kick everyone out, change the manager and start choosing the team
Mel Goldberg
He also revealed that if the deal goes through there are no plans to remove Ellis as chairman.
Goldberg said: "The situation is that my client and his consortium had a bid to buy just under 30% of Chelsea blown out of the water by the Russian deal.
"Roman Abramovich offered much more money than us and to pay off the club debt which we were not interested in doing.
"My client is a very substantial person and he is still interested in investing in an English football club.
"For security reasons, he wants to keep a low profile but he is a football fan with a good knowledge of the English Premiership.
"There are a few options being considered but Villa fit the bill in terms of the sort of club he is looking to buy.
"It's a club with solid foundations and run on a sound financial basis. He likes the fact it owns its ground and has a long history.
I can't say if he is going to pump £100m into Villa and buy Ronaldo - but my client is a billionaire
Mel Goldberg
"He sees it as a club which has under-achieved in the last few years but could do better.
"Mr Ellis is on holiday but I had an amicable chat with him over the phone last Wednesday about the possibility of my client buying into the club.
"Things are at an early stage but I plan to meet Mr Ellis when he returns from his holiday in the next few days.
"There is no hurry from my client's point of view but if possible he would like to have a deal sewn for the start of the new season."
Goldberg added: "Mr Ellis has told me he does not want to stand down as chairman. We are happy for the chairman to continue. In fact, we don't want anyone to step down.
"My client is not looking to take over the club, kick everyone out, change the manager and start choosing the team.
"What he wants to have is a representative on the board of directors. As he is not in this country most of the time, he wants me as a sports lawyer to represent his interests as a director on the board.
"If that is possible, a deal will happen and, from my conversation with Mr Ellis last week, he seems happy with this.
"I can't say if he is going to pump £100m into Villa and buy Ronaldo - but my client is a billionaire and there would be a significant injection of money. I'm sure David O'Leary would like a few more bob to spend."
