League Championship side Leeds' new joint-owner Andrea Radrizzani has made it "one of his top priorities to buy back Elland Road," according to James O'Brien of the London INDEPENDENT. The Italian businessman, who co-founded sports media rights company MP & Silva, this month acquired a 50% stake in the club from Massimo Cellino through his company, Aser Group Holding. Radrizzani was "coy" on a reported agreement to buy out Cellino's remaining holding in the summer but did "reveal his intention to purchase and improve the club's stadium," which is owned by Manchester businessman Jacob Adler. Radrizzani said, "It's an important topic. Elland Road is an iconic venue, not only for Leeds but for English football. All fans are very loyal to this stadium so it's one of my priorities to evaluate the option to exercise the opportunity to buy back the stadium." Radrizzani has invested in Leeds at a time when the club is "vying for promotion" from the Championship in Manager Garry Monk's first season in charge. Radrizzani could "find himself in full control of the club in February" if Cellino's ban for breaking the FA's agent regulations is enforced. Cellino has been involved in a number of high-profile controversies since he took over Leeds in '14, but Radrizzani has called on the club's fans to "focus their energies on on-field matters." Cellino admitted it was "the perfect time to share the responsibilities of running a club that is still recovering from past financial problems" (INDEPENDENT, 1/14).
