EPL Side Swansea City Could Receive U.S. Investment As Early As Next Month

EPL side Swansea City Club Dir Huw Cooze said that the club "could receive American investment as early as next month," according to Phil Blanche of WALES ONLINE. The club has "been in talks with American businessmen John Jay Moores and Charles Noell since last autumn with the former owners of the San Diego Padres set to make a significant cash injection in return for a 30 per cent stake in Swansea." Both Swansea and the Supporters' Trust -- which owns 21% of the club -- "have done due diligence on the American pair and negotiations have now entered a critical period." Cooze, the Supporters' Trust representative on the Swansea board, said, "Talks are on-going and there's nothing on the table yet, no offer. But I would imagine they would make that offer and be coming in here in the next month or so" (WALES ONLINE, 2/16). SKY SPORTS reported Swansea is "currently negotiating" to buy its Liberty Stadium ground from the city council and is hoping to increase the 20,800 capacity. There are more than 8,000 people waiting for season tickets and plans "have been approved to expand the capacity to 33,000." Cooze: "We know we're possibly losing a generation by not expanding. We've been in the Premier League for four years and it is likely we're going to be here next season" (SKY SPORTS, 2/16). The BBC reported the supporters' trust "has in the past voiced its concerns about foreign ownership." Cooze: "The Americans and our own shareholders know the Supporters' Trust shares are not for sale. They never will be and they appreciate that, and we will work with them if it (the deal) happens" (BBC, 2/17).