Massimo Cellino has told Gazzetta Dello Sport – as quoted by CalcioMercato – that Andrea Radrizzani still owes him money after the sale of Leeds United to Radrizzani, and the latest instalment is unpaid.
In January 2017, Radrizzani bought 50% of Leeds from Cellino – and then that summer, increased his stake to the full 100%. Six years on, and Radrizzani has sold Leeds outright, to the San Francisco 49ers.
Before selling Leeds following relegation, Radrizzani struck a deal to buy the also-relegated Sampdoria – one of Italy’s biggest footballing institutions. He has hired Andrea Pirlo as manager, in the second tier.
Cellino – who now owns one of Sampdoria’s League rivals, in Brescia – has been quoted by CM as saying that Radrizzani owes him money from the sale of Leeds. A fee of £9.6m, paid in instalments until 2026.
More than €1m every year – the latest of which should have been sent to Cellino on August 31. But, the ex-Leeds owner claims Radrizzani has not paid him and is ignoring calls – saying it is “embarrassing”.
“He had taken a loan of £9.6m from me, which he must return to me in annual instalments. A loan that expires in 2026 for over €1m per year to be paid to my company that holds the shares of Brescia.
“In the past, there was no punctuality. Now, the 2023 instalment expired on August 31st I made myself heard and I get no answers. That money is needed for my Brescia,” Cellino claimed, talking to GDS.
“How can Radrizzani buy a prestigious club like Samp to reorganize if he can’t even pay his old debts relating to Leeds? An embarrassing thing,” the King of Corn added when discussing Radrizzani’s debt.
Cellino says Radrizzani owes money and Leeds at the heart of it
Well, never a dull moment in the life of a Leeds fan – and, to be fair, in the lives of both Radrizzani and Cellino. It does not seem right that Radrizzani is allowed to buy Sampdoria with outstanding payments.
It’ll be a frosty meeting between the two sides on December 2, with Brescia and Cellino playing host to Sampdoria, Radrizzani and Pirlo. The reverse fixture takes place on February 17. One to keep an eye on.
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