Guochuan Lai £115m+ loss on cards as ‘urgent’ West Brom scenario emerges
Guochuan Lai is prepared to sell West Brom for £60million, which is £115million less than he paid for the club in 2016, according to The Express and Star.
Albion’s owners are believed to be open to a sale and value the club at a figure which would include paying off the current debts (Express and Star, 22 June).
It’s understood the need for fresh funds has become “increasingly urgent” with the Baggies’ debts including a £20million loan taken out early in 2023.
With parachute payments now out of the equation, there’s an increased willingness for the owners to consider offers for a partial or full sale.
Lai purchased West Brom for £115million back in 2016 (Birmingham Mail).
Positive
It’s positive to see the ownership group remain open to a sale.
Change is required and until Lai departs, there will be plenty of concern hanging over The Hawthorns.
The debts need clearing – and fast. We’ve seen in the past just how damaging huge losses can be. The likes of Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth have all fallen foul of poor ownership decisions.
When looking at the Championship, West Brom seem like the most likely club to follow suit. But, if an agreement over a potential takeover can be reached, there should be reasons to be positive.
Albion have a top-class manager and a squad that is littered with high-quality Championship players. The likes of John Swift and Jed Wallace would get into most teams at the level.
If a takeover can take place in the coming weeks, Corberan could well be given a slightly bigger war chest for the coming season.
He worked miracles during the 2022/23 season but needs some sort of support for the upcoming campaign.
In other West Brom news, a finance expert has shared a £50,000-a-week Baggies worry with a complex new investment on the cards.