Leeds United’s owners The 49ers and Paraag Marathe are closing in on the takeover of Scottish giants Rangers and now, it has been confirmed that a deal is at 90% complete.
News emerged a few months ago that Marathe was looking to broker a deal and add Rangers to The 49ers club portfolio having impressed in his first couple of years as Leeds United chairman, since 2023.
Rangers are seriously second-best to Old Firm rivals Celtic at the moment with Brendan Rodgers easily guiding Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title – and boast the chance to secure the Scottish treble.
Not only that, but Rangers do not have a permanent manager for the 2025-26 season having sacked Philippe Clement. Barry Ferguson is currently in interim charge at Ibrox until the end of the season.
Former Rangers chairman Dave King provides 49ers update
The 49ers have set out what they aimed to do when buying out Andrea Radrizzani at Leeds, and gain promotion back to the Premier League. Marathe has been clear and transparent with Leeds supporters.
There is a feel-good factor back at Leeds, with Marathe ready to spend every penny possible to keep Leeds in the Premier League. But, Marathe will also be busy in conducting a Rangers takeover.
Former Rangers chairman Dave King spoke to TalkSPORT on Wednesday (07.05, 12pm) and said that The 49ers’ deal alongside Andrew Kavanagh to takeover Rangers is now at 90%, expected in mid-June.
“The position right now, there is a 90% probability it will happen. These talks have been going on for some time, probably six months. There were times where it was touch and go, King told TalkSPORT today.
“Where we are now and the things that have been fulfilled – I would certainly put it above 90%,” before Jim White added something else King had told him: “The takeover will go through mid-June, King says.”
Why Paraag Marathe and The 49ers are buying Rangers
Aside from Rangers being an enormous club and share major similarities with Leeds in terms of structure and history, there are two reasons why The 49ers and Marathe have identified Rangers as their next club.
Reports say Marathe wants Rangers due to it’s solid fanbase, and that they are pretty much guaranteed European football or Champions League football every season, given second place gets them qualified.
It is going to be an incredibly busy summer for Marathe, who will have to open his cheque book to give Leeds a chance of Premier League survival. But he will also have to oversee a takeover in Scotland, too.
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