La Liga side Valencia Owner Peter Lim "reportedly received an offer for the club from a business outside Spain," and he responded by asking for €200M ($218.2M). One "interpretation of this is that he is asking for an astronomical amount to show that he has no intention of selling" (SUPERDEPORTE, 4/30).
Premier League side Crystal Palace Chair Steve Parish was asked about reports of a Chinese takeover of the club. The club secured investment from American duo Josh Harris and David Blitzer in Dec. '15, but reports on Saturday suggested that the pair was "considering selling their shares to a Chinese corporation." However, Parish said that is "far from the truth." Parish: "I've got no idea of somebody taking their share. It was the first time I heard that story this morning. We're committed to the club, Josh, David and I, but you never own a football club forever" (CROYDON ADVERTISER, 4/30).
League Two side Leyton Orient said that it has "paid all salaries and cleared" its debts to U.K. tax authority HMRC. However, it is understood "some freelance contractors at the club are still yet to be paid." Club staff members were not paid their wages for March on time, "forcing some to relocate as they were unable to make rent or mortgage payments." Owner Francesco Becchetti has been given until June 12 to "sell the club or pay off all his debts to creditors" (BBC, 4/29).
Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning has “made an approach” for former Premier League side Leicester City Manager Claudio Ranieri, who is the “latest top European name to be targeted in China’s ongoing football revolution.” If a deal is done, Ranieri, 65, “sacked by the Foxes only nine months after winning the Premier League,” will become one of the “best-paid managers on the planet.” Jiangsu is an established part of China’s loaded football elite after “spending enormous sums on signing leading players from European clubs.” The club “first stunned everyone” when it signed Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Ramires for £25M in Jan. ’16 (DAILY STAR, 4/30).
