American ownership group in talks to buy Sheffield United

Sheffield United could be under new ownership when next season kicks off as an American group works to take over. The Blades finished as the bottom club in the Premier League in 2023/24 following their return to the top flight. Traditionally, this leads to financial challenges for clubs as they instantly work to regain Premier League status.

In any case, telegraph reports that an American consortium of investors has submitted an application to the EFL to buy Sheffield United. Private investors from Silicon Valley have presented their plans to the English Football League. In doing so, the governing body can begin vetting the investor pool to ensure they are fit enough to oversee a club of Sheffield United’s size. EFL has recently strengthened tests to ensure potential owners are efficient. This promotes longevity and financial security for clubs in the top divisions.

Talks have accelerated in recent weeks between Sheffield United’s current owner and the American group. Saudi Prince Abdullah is ready to make a move from Sheffield United with the Silicon Valley group ready to pay big sums of money. Initial reports indicate that the American group will pay around $128 million for Sheffield United. Although a small fee, this is a Sheffield United team playing in the EFL Championship next season. That’s a similar cost to what the 49ers Group spent on Leeds United when they changed ownership.

American ownership: Sheffield United are the latest in the EFL

Before owning the Bramall Lane club, the Americans had links with many clubs in the English Football League. For reference, there are 29 teams that list an American or American group in their ownership. Of course, that boils down to different levels of ownership. For example, Stan Kroenke owns all of Arsenal, while Mark Attanasio only owns 18% of Norwich City. Regardless, Americans are pouring into the EFL, and the list continues to grow.

With Sheffield United, that ownership stake is for the entire club. The group wanted to buy Sheffield United before last season when they returned to the Premier League. That failed to materialize. Now, perhaps cheaper as a result of the downgrade, Americans are back in the shopping circle.

The logical steps now focus on ensuring that the consortium can run Sheffield United effectively. To make sure a deal gets over the line, members of the investment group headed to England to speed up the deal. Prince Abdullah held talks with other parties about selling Sheffield United, but all fell through. This takeover, however, seems much more likely.

The new owners would face a major task in ensuring Sheffield United’s success. Before finishing last in the Premier League, the Blades were second in the Championship. However, many of last season’s players will not be around. Premier League clubs can poach some of the outstanding performers and the club has to cope with a smaller budget. Even if the Premier League’s parachute payments will help, the American ownership group in line for Sheffield United will be under the microscope.

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