West Brom: Adrian Goldberg shares ‘crazy’ takeover twist at The Hawthorns
West Brom could be part-owned by Aston Villa fan Alex Hearn come next week in a “crazy” development, according to Adrian Goldberg.
The former BBC broadcaster pointed out on The Liquidator Podcast [4 February, 24m 30s] that a loan repayment is due to a company owned by Hearn on 8 February.
If Albion are unable to make that repayment, Hearn has the right to convert the loan into shares and be involved behind the scenes at The Hawthorns.
“Coming up on February 8 is what we were told is the deadline for the repayment for West Bromwich Albion Holdings, Guochuan Lai’s company, of a £2million loan from Warmfront, which is owned by Aston Villa fan Alex Hearn,” Goldberg said.
“The rate of interest on that loan is five-per-cent a month – an incredible rate. West Brom Holdings own 88 per cent of West Bromwich Albion, and the suggestion was made that if the loan isn’t repaid, Hearn could convert that loan into shares in West Brom Holdings.
“It opens the possibility that West Brom Holdings is part-owned by a Villa fan. It’s just crazy. Keep an eye on that February 8 deadline – things may start moving, because that’s a publicly notified deadline.”
West Brom takeover latest
The last we heard on the takeover front, US businessman Shilen Patel is the frontrunner to take over from Lai at The Hawthorns.
However, not for the first time, there has been radio silence of late and it remains to be seen exactly how far down the line talks are.
Should Patel still be some way off putting pen to paper, next week’s development could have huge ramifications for the Baggies.
Assuming there is no money to repay the loan, the ball is then in Hearn’s court – or at least Warmfront’s – as to what happens next.
Having a Villa fan involved behind the scenes at the club would indeed be “crazy”, but it is a possibility that must be taken seriously.
With that 8 February date looming, it may well be that more information with regards to Patel and the takeover is forthcoming in the coming days.
If the past six months or so are anything to go by, though, then maybe not.
In other West Brom news, Chris Lepkowski has shared his “concern” at what is happening at The Hawthorns.