The Mail claim Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani may actually have to pay Sampdoria’s wage bill for May with the club having until the end of May to do so, in order to avoid a four-point deduction at the start of next season.
Reports earlier this month suggested that Radrizzani was interested in the already-relegated, financially-stricken Italian side. Then, on Monday morning, he was seen outside Sampdoria’s training base – hoping to buy the club.
Indeed, he had gone for a meeting about buying Sampdoria with an associate from his Gestio Capital firm – as well as a young entrepreneur who will also boast a stake. But it appears that actually, Radrizzani is in a race against time.
While he remains the major shareholder at Leeds, Radrizzani has little over a week to get the players’ wages sorted out. If Sampdoria do not pay their players wages by the end of May, they will start next season – in Serie B – on -4.
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani may have to pay Sampdoria’s wage bill
Radrizzani’s timing was poor – at least, in the face of Leeds fans. His comments to Sky Sports – as per Di Marzio – that he had his “fingers crossed” about buying Sampdoria, came less than 24 hours after Leeds lost to West Ham.
A defeat that pushes Leeds on the brink of relegation. A win over Tottenham on the final day and Leeds could stay up, but even then, Everton could draw their clash against Bournemouth. Radrizzani is clearly keen to sell Leeds.
That is, even if he sells the club at Championship price – not Premier League. The 49ers are expected to take over. While the timing was poor, though, it is clear that Radrizzani has had to move quickly, given a possible deduction.
