League Championship side Leeds United Owner Massimo Cellino denied he was "ready to sell" his controlling 75% stake at Elland Road amid "mounting speculation, but confirmed he had held talks with representatives from the Formula One giant last week," according to Mark Walker of the PA. Cellino is "open to offers of investment, it is understood, but vehemently denied he was prepared to walk away from the club he bought from Gulf Finance House Capital in April." Red Bull had reportedly been keen to "take full control," but in a brief statement the energy drinks manufacturer said it did not propose to "enter into a partnership with the Yorkshire club." Red Bull said in a statement, "We can confirm that Red Bull has no plans to take over Leeds Utd nor take a stake in the club." Cellino said on Monday that the rumors were "100 per cent not true" and were "disrespectful." Cellino: "We
talked with an agent who said he was working for Red Bull, but I'd
never met him before and I don't know what Red Bull want to do. I'm not
selling the club" (
PA, 11/4).
