Takeover Of West Brom Moves Closer After Suitors Enter Due Diligence Phase

The prospect of a takeover at EPL side West Bromwich Albion "has grown after interested parties from the Far East and United States entered due diligence," according to Brendan McLoughlin of the LONDON TIMES. West Brom Owner Jeremy Peace "is intent on the wheels being set in motion on any deal" -- which he hopes will amount to about £150M ($228M) -- by the end of May, with a view to completion by mid-July "so that it does not hamper activity in the transfer window." The due diligence phase, "likely to be accelerated by the Midlands club boasting clean accounts" -- it announced pre-tax profits of £14.7M for the year ending June 30, 2014 -- "could be complete by early next month." Possible buyers "have already been shown around The Hawthorns and the club’s training ground, among them a group from China who are also believed to be showing an interest in Aston Villa" (LONDON TIMES, 4/28).