Gareth Bale linked to Plymouth Argyle takeover bid by US-based group
Behind the scenes talks are taking place between a US-based private equity group and Plymouth Argyle over a potential takeover of the Home Park club, The Telegraph has reported this afternoon.
The Telegraph have also stated former Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale has been lined up to front the move, which also includes members of the American-based Storch family. Bale's former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric became an investor and owner of another EFL club, Swansea City, in April.
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A story co-written by Tom Morgan and John Percy said: "Bale has no historic connections with Plymouth and his involvement as a co-owner had been unexpected. However, US groups have increasingly looked to partner with famous faces in recent years to add glamour to club purchases beneath England's top tier.
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"Modric's arrival at Swansea came after the NFL great Tom Brady became a co-owner at Birmingham City. American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas also bought shares in Leeds United prior to their return to the Premier League.
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"Several sources close to talks confirm a US private equity group partnering with Bale is currently in talks over a bid for full control at Home Park."
Plymouth Live has contacted Argyle this afternoon about The Telegraph's story but they have declined to comment.
Argyle majority owner and chairman Simon Hallett has been seeking additional investment into the club for some time and one deal recently through.
Hallett told Argyle supporters in a Chairman's Chat column on May 31: "As you know, we have been in talks with a prospective new investor in our club for over a year. Those talks led to an application for approval of that investment being lodged with the EFL in February.
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"Unfortunately, negotiations have taken too long and the key information that both we and the EFL required to complete the deal has not been forthcoming. I no longer believe that news of the new investor is imminent.
"As a result, existing shareholders (I, Argyle Green and the Holliday family) will provide the funds to ensure that we stay on course with our plans.
"This means making funds available to ensure we have a competitive football budget to aim to return us to the Championship as soon as possible, as well as continued investment in Foulston Park. Our budget next season will be twice that we had the last time we were in League One.
"These additional funds equate to the same level of financial support that was written into the investor plan for year one."
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He continued: "I completely understand that this will be very frustrating for fans, as it is extremely frustrating for me and the rest of the Argyle board. I have said constantly that my resources can enable us to be a sustainable Championship club, but that if we wish to aspire beyond that we would need new investment. I can provide some of that new investment, with the Holliday family and Argyle Green's help, but not all.
"While progress towards a transaction in its current form looks to have stalled, we will continue to explore alternative routes, including being open to revised terms with other investment groups.
It is important that we get the right investor, not the quickest investor, and this may take some time. We are committed to this, but in the meantime, current shareholders can (and will) support the club through its next stage of development."
Meanwhile, Sky Sports News reporter Anthony Joseph posted on X (Twitter) later this afternoon: "An American-backed consortium -fronted by former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale - have held talks with Plymouth Argyle over a possible takeover. It's understood discussions have taken place between the consortium & #PAFC hierarchy, but have not gone any further at this stage."
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Argyle chief executive officer Andrew Parkinson is set to meet the local media later this week at the introductory Press conference for new head coach Tom Cleverley. The topic of Bale's involvement in the reported takeover bid is sure to be asked about then.
You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE
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