Chris Lepkowski shares latest on West Brom takeover situation after what he’s heard
Chris Lepkowski has shared an update on the takeover situation at West Brom, with one party said to be “extremely serious” about concluding a deal.
Albion are reported to have held talks with prospective buyers from America and the Middle East [The Telegraph, 19 September] as majority shareholder Guochuan Lai’s time at The Hawthorns appears to near its end.
Speaking on The Liquidator Podcast [5 November, 17m 50s], former Birmingham Mail reporter Lepkowski stated that a third party may even be waiting in the wings.
“Two parties I’ve heard are very much involved in the discussions,” he said. “I’ve heard that one is extremely serious. The second party has a lesser chance of being successful.
“I am aware actually that there is a third party that are not actively involved right now in discussions, but are observing how discussions go. What I do know is that there is a broad optimism this could get over the line.
“There are obviously various hurdles to go through in these discussions, not least NDAs. We’ve used some discretion in stepping back and not using names, because I’ve got my thoughts on who it might be. We are at very delicate stage at where these discussions are.
“Like I said, there is a broad optimism right now that the big player could get over the line. These things can go all sorts of directions that you don’t know about and can’t control. There is certainly a broad optimism that something can happen if not this side of the new year, then in the new year.
“What we do know, and this is perhaps the most encouraging aspect in this, that there are people interested in a club like ours. There is a want for the owners to sell, and the fact we are in this position with people involved at a very senior level, it’s a case of wait and see how the next few weeks pan out.”
New chapter imminent
Whether it is one, two or three parties potentially in the running to take over at The Hawthorns, every supporter is eager for a deal to get concluded – ideally before January.
Should that happen, and there are plenty of indications that will now be the case, then it will seriously bolster Albion’s prospects of earning promotion to the Premier League this season.
If we have to wait until beyond January, though, then so be it, as long as the right people are brought in.
It has been an uncertain period for West Brom off the field, but it now looks as though a new chapter is soon about to begin.
As shared by Adrian Goldberg on the same podcast [5 November, 15m 25s], a high-profile sports lawyer has regularly been spotted in the directors’ box at The Hawthorns, suggesting talks may be at an advanced stage.
With a bit of luck, there will be no major obstacles and signatures can finally be put on that all-important piece of paper.
In other West Brom news, a “significant” £915million development at The Hawthorns has emerged.