American investors set to complete Rangers takeover by the end of this season
Rangers look set to be under American ownership by the end of this season.
Headed by a representative of the investment arm of NFL giants the San Francisco 49ers, talks with key stakeholders at Ibrox are now at an advanced stage.
Sources close to the negotiations have told Mail Sport there is a broad agreement between the potential investors from the USA and a sufficient number of incumbent directors to constitute a majority stake.
While the Americans’ lawyers will still have to do their due diligence and the deal would also be subject to SFA approval, there is optimism on both sides that it will be concluded some time between April and June.
The bid is led by Paraag Marathe, the Leeds United chairman who also leads 49ers Enterprises, which is the NFL giant’s investment company.
Their offer will see the likes of former chairmen Dave King and John Bennett sell up. The Park family —Douglas and Graeme — are said to be considering following suit.
American businessman Paraag Marathe is leading the bid to secure a majority stake in Rangers
Marathe is chairman of Leeds United, whose minority shareholders include actor Will Ferrell
Marathe would bring to Rangers his vast experience with NFL giant San Francisco 49ers
Recent figures suggest that shares have been traded at 20p, roughly valuing Rangers at £100million, with around £50m of the Americans’ money required to bring about regime change at Ibrox.
It’s understood that the new regime would only look to retain Fraser Thornton, the recently-appointed chairman, and Patrick Stewart, the chief executive who was appointed late last year.
However, with UEFA’s Financial and Social Responsibility regulations now prohibiting clubs from spending more than 70 per cent of their income from next season, Rangers’ prospective new owners won’t be able to merely write blank cheques to rebuild the team on the park.
Their plan will be to build the business off the park while simultaneously putting together a side that can make serous inroads in Europe each season.
Marathe, who is also vice president of football operations at the 49ers, is guided by analytics in recruitment and he would bring a defined strategy to the club.
He also has experience in designing and improving stadiums.
49ers Enterprises made an outright purchase of Leeds United for £170m in 2023 following an initial 15 per cent investment in the Yorkshire club in 2019 for £10m.
Having appointed Daniel Farke as manager, Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion back to the Premier League last season when they lost to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley, but they are the current Championship leaders.
