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Potential buyer’s claim that Southampton owner has now backtracked

By Christian Bird

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Fans walk outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Fans walk outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Southampton FC is currently undergoing multiple changes at the club with a new manager, a swoop for new continental talent, and talks of a planned takeover bid from wealthy Chinese business firm Lander. It has emerged, however, that the owner has cast doubt over their commitment.

These plans seem to be put on halt at least for the time-being, as according to reports in the Daily Mail on 21st July 2017, Southampton Football Club owners Katharina Liebherr is contemplating not selling the club after all. In an interview with the founder of Lander who is leading the bidding war, Jisheng Gao said:

"“’It is not clear at the moment, the seller is having second thoughts about selling the club.”"

What is clear is there are several bidders who have Southampton FC on their bucket list, and whilst talks have broken down in recent months between the Chinese company and the football club, Southampton’s Chairman, and owner will need to consider other potential investors.

Discussions between Lander and Saint’s appear to be deteriorating due to group’s ‘stability to secure the takeover,’ Mail Online reports.

Second thoughts have been put in the head of the Southampton owner after her father rescued the club from bankruptcy in 2009, and seems to be taking a U-turn on the sale of Southampton FC.

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: (L-R) Ralph Krueger the Southampton Chairman and Katharina Liebherr the Southampton owner look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Cardiff City at St Mary’s Stadium on April 12, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: (L-R) Ralph Krueger the Southampton Chairman and Katharina Liebherr the Southampton owner look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Cardiff City at St Mary’s Stadium on April 12, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /

Lander Sports Development is a Chinese consortium who work in the construction and management of sports facilities worldwide. Founded in 1999, their company holds 179 employees.

However, Bloomberg reported in April 2017 that plans to buy the side had fallen to pieces, citing changes in China’s security markets and policies.

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There has been a transaction made by Lander towards St Mary’s Football Group Ltd, although this was recorded on 26th January and is now looking less likely to grow.

Reality Check

The real estate firm is richer beyond the wildest dreams of the wide majority of people, which would be in the better interests of Saint’s supporters as securing the signature of this successful business could lead to better development of player’s and facilities, and hopefully, lead to epic climbs in the table.

Southampton’s owner now needs to put the club first and decide whether she is the right person to take the club forward or whether the assets and expertise of Lander Sports Development would be a better choice.

I don’t know much about the owner and therefore couldn’t make any judgement, but the game is completely dominated by money nowadays and Southampton should be quick to adapt if they are to keep up with the higher forces in English football.

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