American takeover interest grows in Championship as Guochuan Lai told to sell West Brom
Telegraph journalist John Percy has told Guochuan Lai he “must entertain credible takeover offers” for West Brom if any are made in the near future.
Lai’s failure to invest any money in almost seven years at The Hawthorns, coupled with major recent issues regarding loans, has led to his popularity hitting an all-time low among Albion fans.
Percy has written on The Telegraph website on Thursday (11 May) that for West Brom’s future prospects to improve, Lai need to sell the Black Country club as soon as any decent offers are made.
And fortunately, there is a growing American interest in Championship clubs that hopefully will lead to the Baggies changing hands in the near future.
“One of the founder members of the Football League, West Brom desperately need new direction and a clear financial plan which does not rely on loans or having to sacrifice players,” said Percy.
“Though the MSD loan is a headache, as it will clearly need to be repaid, it does provide Albion with a comfort blanket which affords them time.
“Lai must entertain any credible takeover offers, and the growing interest from American consortiums in acquiring Championship clubs should provide encouragement.
“This summer could be difficult, but this club is too important to just fade away.”
Can lightning strike twice?
West Brom have already been the subject of interest from the USA.
Writing in December, Percy reported that a “blue-chip investor based in the United States” enquired about a £50million takeover of The Hawthorns club, but it was swiftly rejected by Lai and co.
West Brom’s ownership is a puzzle with a number of Chinese groups, companies and figures being involved.
Lai is the controlling shareholder and will more than likely have the biggest say on whether the Black Country outfit is sold. However, the fact that he doesn’t seem to care about West Brom suggests that it means nothing to him about the situation they’re in.
Lai’s used West Brom as though they’re a bank, taking money out at his pleasure to prop up other businesses he’s involved in.
Is he going to care enough about the club to sell it because it’s for the good of the fans when he’d pull stuff like that?
The only reason Lai would sell West Brom is if it’s of financial benefit and the way the club’s value has plummeted during his ownership may be seen as being too late to cash in his chips.
Why not take out a £20million loan to try and win back some of the lost value even though that’s more than likely going to cause even more issues down the line?
Lai seems willing to die on this hill and he could take the whole of West Bromwich Albion down with him.
In other West Brom news, Troy Deeney has hailed this life-changing Albion man after he won an award.