Another American businessman is making a move to buy a Premier League club, this time in the form of Bournemouth.
Current AFC Bournemouth owner Maxim Demin has entered advanced talks to sell his team to a group led by Bill Foley. Foley, 77, is the current owner of the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. In addition, he serves as president of the Fortune 500 company Fidelity National Financial.
Foley held talks with Demin to take over the South Coast club throughout the summer. As negotiations continue, both sides hope to reach an agreement before the next World Cup. The group led by the American businessman would have 100% of the club’s shares. There are no concrete numbers available yet. However, reports put the sale figure at around $170 million.
Despite being in lengthy negotiations, Demin spent around $30 million on new players during the summer transfer window. In addition, the Russo-British businessman went ahead with plans to refurbish the team’s training camp. The first phase of this development began in June and includes a vaulted interior field.
The UK government did not target Demin because of his financial ties to the petrochemical company. Previously, the UK persecuted former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich sold the club to an American, Todd Boehly.
American seeks to buy Bournemouth
The American owners of the Premier League have attracted a lot of attention over the years. The rumors have intensified more recently due to comments made by new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly. Boehly made headlines this week when he made suggestions to Americanise the Premier League.
While Bournemouth are still in talks with a potential new owner, the club are also looking for a manager. Interim boss Gary O’Neil, however, says he’s just focusing on training. “Obviously I’m not involved in any discussion like that,” O’Neil said during a news conference on Friday. “Obviously acquisitions and discussions of that level are very far from my mind and what I am focused on, which is Newcastle. It will be a great test.”
If the deal goes through, Foley will become the 10th American owner in the Premier League. Although two of these owners do not currently have a majority stake in their clubs.
PHOTO: IMAGO/PA Images
