SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton’s takeover talks will undoubtedly hit a bump in the road in light of the Super League proposals.
The club’s majority shareholder, Gao Jisheng, is desperate to sell his 80 per cent stake and discussions have been ongoing with potential bidders for some time. But Sunday night’s announcement creates a level of uncertainty where the Premier League is concerned and will have prospective owners questioning whether it remains a worthwhile investment.
It’s no secret that Manchester United, Liverpool and company generate vast sums of interest and revenue for the other 14 Premier League sides, so if that is now in doubt, potential buyers will want to take stock and reassess their options.
Southampton felt like progress was being made with the interested parties, although time will soon tell whether those talks proceed in a positive way amid the doubts raised by the potential breakaway European Super League.
On Monday, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl voiced his objection to the Super League, saying: “We lost a game on Sunday (the FA Cup semi-final against Leicester), but I was not sleeping well because I think it is definitely a big threat, what I see coming up with this war from the big clubs against all the national leagues.
“We have to fight very hard against it and hopefully we have the fans on our side, that they are going with us; without the fans, football will not work.”
Dan Sheldon