EPL side Crystal Palace co-Chair Steve Parish denied that a takeover of the club by NBA Philadelphia 76ers Owner Josh Harris "is imminent," according to ESPN. American billionaire Harris "has been linked with the London club" amid reports in the London Guardian that a £70M deal is "90 percent" complete. However, Parish said, "There are always people who want to buy football clubs. Sometimes people approach you and it gets out, sometimes people approach you and it doesn't, but there is no imminent takeover. We are talking to a number of people on a number of fronts" (ESPN, 10/28). But in London, John Percy wrote Harris is aiming to complete his £70M ($113M) takeover of Crystal Palace "within the next three weeks after setting up ambitious plans for the January transfer window." Harris is in advanced talks with the Palace board over a potential sale and is ready to make "sizeable" funds available for Manager Neil Warnock, "whose position is not believed to be under threat." Due diligence has already started and while talks are said to be "ongoing," Harris is "keen to have acquired full control of the south London club in time for January, with the promise of making money available for new players." There "are also plans to renovate Selhurst Park and improve the club's infrastructure but the main focus for Harris, if his takeover is agreed, is to strengthen the current squad in the New Year" (TELEGRAPH, 10/28).
