- Several overseas investors are reportedly interested in buying West Brom
- The club, worth around £60million, are in discussions with at least two buyers
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West Bromwich Albion are in discussions with at least two possible buyers as the reign of unloved owner Guochuan Lai edges towards its conclusion.
The financially-troubled Championship club are thought to be available for about £60million and have attracted interest from overseas groups including one understood to be based in the United States.
Takeover specialist David Hinchliffe, described on the website of legal firm Walker Morris as ‘one of the best in the field in advising on the acquisitions and disposal of football clubs’, is believed to be involved in the process and Hinchliffe was seen in the directors’ box for Albion’s home game against Hull on November 4.
Hinchliffe and his team have advised on several takeovers including Evangelos Marinakis’ acquisition of Nottingham Forest in 2017 and Andrea Radrizzani’s of Leeds United in the same year. Radrizzani sold his stake to US vehicle 49ers Enterprises earlier this year.
Last December, Albion took out a £20million four-year loan with MSD Holdings, to cover the decline in revenue that followed relegation from the Premier League in 2021.
West Brom are in discussions with at least two potential buyers with interest also coming from overseas suitors
It could mean that the end of Guochuan Lai’s tenure as the club’s owner could soon come to an end
Carlos Corberan’s side have enjoyed a fast start to the season going fifth in the table after last weekend’s victory against Hull
Lai has also failed to pay back £10m in loans.
Lai bought the club from Jeremy Peace for £175m in 2016 but his lack of investment in recent seasons has left him hugely unpopular with supporters, who have organised protests against his ownership during several fixtures at The Hawthorns.
Despite supporter unrest and the uncertainty off the field, Albion are having a strong season under their increasingly impressive coach Carlos Corberan.
Last weekend’s win over Hull lifted Albion to fifth in the table, 10 points behind second-placed Ipswich.
Corberan takes his side to face in-form Southampton – a point and a place above them – this weekend in the final round of fixtures before the November international break.
West Brom did not comment when approached by Mail Sport.
They now sit just 10 points behind Ipswich who are second in the league standings
