Katharina Liebherr is ready to accept a £190million offer
Saints supremo Katharina Liebherr is ready to accept a £190million offer to sell the south coast club to a Chinese consortium.
Swiss businesswoman Liebherr has been in negotiations with Lander Sports Development for several months and the two parties were close to an agreement on Wednesday.
GETTY
Southampton could be set to become the second Premier club to be Chinese owned
Liebherr initially wanted to retain a stake in the EFL Cup finalists but this arrangement would see her sign more than 100 per cent of her shares – albeit over a staggered time frame.
The deal will make Saints the second Premier League club to be Chinese owned after West Brom. Aston Villa, Wolves and Birmingham are also under the control of moguls from the football-mad Far East country.
The man behind the Saints takeover is Gao Jisheng – a former armed policeman and self-made billionaire.
Jisheng, 64, made his fortune in property development but switched into the sports world last year, buying a Chinese ladies’ team.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy