76ers and Devils Majority Owner Josh Harris is "on the verge of completing" his US$148M takeover of EPL club Crystal Palace, according to John Percy of the London TELEGRAPH. Harris and 76ers and Devils co-Owner David Blitzer "following months of discussions" with the club are "close to taking full control and could be officially unveiled" early this week. Harris is "confident of striking a deal within the next 48 hours and is already targeting a major redevelopment" of the Selhurst Park stadium site in southeast London. Harris also will "support manager Alan Pardew in the summer with transfer funds." Crystal Palace co-Chair Steve Parish is expected to stay on for an "indefinite period" and "concentrate on the day-to-day running of the club" (London TELEGRAPH, 3/14).
PLAYING THE VILLAN: In London, the TELEGRAPH's Percy reported EPL club Aston Villa is "on course for a takeover this summer" after it emerged Owner Randy Lerner is "in 'delicate' negotiations" with a party interested in the Birmingham-based club (London TELEGRAPH, 3/14).
