ALK Capital or Farnell/Elkashashy takeover

[Woodleyclaret]

Excellent news if true we need this sorting and funds in place for a transfer kitty for Sean asap

[MACCA]

Ha ha - but I was actually being serious. I’ve just had something significant which suggests the wait will not be much longer.

Your usual celebration treat tea?

Mines planned for Saturday, although I'd rather that be down to the result Saturday, and the takeover news next week.

[Paul Waine]

US firm ALK Capital closes in on £200m Burnley deal

Matt Lawton, Chief Sports Correspondent
Thursday December 03 2020, 12.01am, The Times

An American sports investment company is close to completing the takeover of Burnley with the Premier League set to approve the £200 million deal.

ALK Capital, which is fronted by Alan Pace, the former president of Major League Soccer franchise Real Salt Lake, has faced direct competition from the rival bid of the Egyptian entrepreneur Mohamed Sayed Zein El Kashashy and the sports lawyer Chris Farnell.

The Times understands the Premier League is scrutinising both offers, with sources claiming the Americans are now the firm favourites to complete the deal “imminently”.

At one stage it did seem that El Kashashy and Farnell were in pole position, having signed a sales and purchase agreement and provided proof of funding. The only matter to be resolved was the outcome of the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test.

But the Premier League has been slow to complete that process, with the delay thought to have been caused by the subsequent offer from ALK for the 49 per cent stake belonging to the Burnley chairman Mike Garlick and John Banaszkiewicz’s 28 per cent share.

Insiders believe a deal will be completed in time for the January transfer window, when the manager Sean Dyche will be keen to add quality to a squad second from bottom in the table.

Burnley made only one significant addition to their first-team squad in the summer with Dale Stephens, the central midfielder, joining for £1 million from Brighton & Hove Albion.

*******************

May I be the first to wish everyone Happy Holidays. (We put our Christmas decorations up on Tuesday, including the festive outdoor lights).

UTC

[TVC15]

Cheers Paul - sounding like things are getting close now.

[jtv]

Matt Lawton with insider news from Matt Lowton perhaps?

[Paul Waine]

Matt Lawton with insider news from Matt Lowton perhaps?

You not noticed the notebook he carries in his shorts pocket?

[Goobs]

You not noticed the notebook he carries in his shorts pocket?

And his pen is too

[dibraidio]

Back to the subject of the takeover - I've just seen something which tends to suggest we are not very far away now from some news.

Mike Garlick flashing vs at the Royal Dyche as he heads for town pushing a wheelbarrow full of dollars ?

[mybloodisclaret]

Page 89... could it be the one???

[gawthorpe_view]

Page 89 better be good...

Looking like it might be...

[NewClaret]

Ha ha - but I was actually being serious. I’ve just had something significant which suggests the wait will not be much longer.

Had or seen Tony? Had would be a message, I think, seen would be a US flag being lofted above the Turf??

It’s killing me this

[NewClaret]

May I be the first to wish everyone Happy Holidays. (We put our Christmas decorations up on Tuesday, including the festive outdoor lights).

UTC

Many happy returns to you too Paul.

Let’s hope we’re soon to be visited by three kings!

[claretonthecoast1882]

Many happy returns to you too Paul.

Let’s hope we’re soon to be visited by three kings!

Is this a hint ?

Ledley King
Marlon King
Andy King

First 3 signings after the takeover ?

[TopCat]

If this goes through you can add a fourth King, name of Wan.

[Grumps]

Had or seen Tony? Had would be a message, I think, seen would be a US flag being lofted above the Turf??

It’s killing me this

The times article

[The Enclosure]

Looking like it might be...

And it is Thursday.

[gandhisflipflop]

Looks like i might have to buy a bottle of champagne at the weekend!

[Targetman]

Mike Garlick flashing vs at the Royal Dyche as he heads for town pushing a wheelbarrow full of dollars ?

Brilliant!!

I can just picture that scene!

[dpinsussex]

Duplicate?

It was the excitement getting to me

[CleggHall]

But is Burnley FC a good investment? ..... over to you our financial experts!

[Herts Clarets]

Is this a hint ?

Ledley King
Marlon King
Andy King

First 3 signings after the takeover ?

Maybe Joe King?

[mkmel]

Or Spanish/American player Juan King?

[ClaretTony]

Had or seen Tony? Had would be a message, I think, seen would be a US flag being lofted above the Turf??

It’s killing me this

I got some information late last night which suggested it was very close. Having said that, I don't know what very close is.

The times article

But it was nothing to do with The Times article or any other article for that matter. I've literally just read that Times article in the last few minutes.

[Paul Waine]

Is this a hint ?

Ledley King
Marlon King
Andy King

First 3 signings after the takeover ?

3 wise men?

Henry Wise, son of Dennis and ....?

Did Socrates (RIP) have a footballing family member perhaps?

Monty Python's Philosophy Footballers?

Shorts sponsored by Philosophy Football ...... https://www.philosophyfootball.com/

well, I'm sure there are others.

UTC

[RN_Claret]

by page 98 we will have been taken over and a whopping $350,000 dollar transfer war chest. We'll sell 5 players and bring in a left back from Buckie Thistle. Just joking .. after the year we have all had, let's hope that 2021 will be an upturn for the club and everyone in the town (and my village too of course). Be happy and UTC.

[Top Claret]

The sooner the deal is complete the better. Moral at the club must be as low has a snakes belly after that performance at City and the general lack of investment on the playing side

[Socrates]

3 wise men?

Henry Wise, son of Dennis and ....?

Did Socrates (RIP) have a footballing family member perhaps?

Monty Python's Philosophy Footballers?

Shorts sponsored by Philosophy Football ...... https://www.philosophyfootball.com/

well, I'm sure there are others.

UTC

Listen mate .... I was really ill last year and it was touch and go, but I’m not dead yet.

[evensteadiereddie]

I'm not sure morale is as low as people make out.
I think the players will fancy a crack at Everton.

[Grumps]

For those who hang on bodens every word, he says there's a meeting tomorrow with the Americans

[Jakubclaret]

I'm not sure morale is as low as people make out.
I think the players will fancy a crack at Everton.

It’s low it’s rock bottom but I wouldn’t say that’d detract from any performances the effort I think as always been there just a severe lack of quality mainly in the final 3rd, if it’s not a defensive error eg palace, we struggle to create nevermind convert.

[JohnMac]

Is this a hint ?

Ledley King
Marlon King
Andy King

First 3 signings after the takeover ?

I can't remember those 3 playing for Orient

[Paul Waine]

Listen mate .... I was really ill last year and it was touch and go, but I’m not dead yet.

Delighted to hear it. Are you ready to be one of our 3 wise men?

UTC

[aggi]

I'm not sure morale is as low as people make out.
I think the players will fancy a crack at Everton.

If losing 5-0 to City crushed the team's morale we'd have been screwed plenty of times in recent years.

[Stayingup]

Burnley made only one significant addition to their first-team squad in the summer with Dale Stephens, the central midfielder, joining for £1 million from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Significant addition???

[FactualFrank]

Burnley made only one significant addition to their first-team squad in the summer with Dale Stephens, the central midfielder, joining for £1 million from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Significant addition???

I guess 1 is a significant figure.

[NewClaret]

It’s low it’s rock bottom but I wouldn’t say that’d detract from any performances the effort I think as always been there just a severe lack of quality mainly in the final 3rd, if it’s not a defensive error eg palace, we struggle to create nevermind convert.

To be fair, I always think we create enough chances to win a game. What we are not doing this season is being as effective with set-pieces. I’d say that our delivery has been poorer, but teams are probably cottoning on how to defend against us too. We badly need improved quality and some effective variation at set-pieces.

I agree confidence and morale around the club seems low. You could tell in Sean’s tone pre-season there was obviously dissatisfaction there and I think that quickly translates to the players. Hopefully that quickly evaporates if a takeover happens and we get some funds to strengthen.

Assuming it’s ALK, you’d very much doubt they have infinite amounts of money to grow at the club, so they’ll have an interesting balance to strike when a takeover goes through - to create hope and optimism without setting unrealistic expectations.

[claptrappers_union]

I guess 1 is a significant figure.

We actaully made a few signings during the window - most for u23's etc - only Stephens was recruited for the first team.

[Grumps]

We actaully made a few signings during the window - most for u23's etc - only Stephens was recruited for the first team.

Plus a goalkeeper?

[Mala591]

No point in any takeover unless a significant amount of money is made available for ‘quality’ player recruitment.

I am sure that Mr Garlick has made that clear - as the number 1 objective of any sale - to any interested potential buyers.

[claptrappers_union]

Plus a goalkeeper?

Was that in the last window? You might be right... However, I suppose a 3rd choice keeper isn't a 'significant' signing though.

[Herts Clarets]

Was that in January? You might be right... however, I suppose a 3rd choice keeper isn't a 'significant' signing though.

After what we saw last Saturday, I would guess there is a fair chance of third choice becoming second choice......

[Grumps]

No point in any takeover unless a significant amount of money is made available for ‘quality’ player recruitment.

I am sure that Mr Garlick has made that clear - as the number 1 objective of any sale - to any interested potential buyers.

Mr Garlick can make it as clear as he wants, but once they're in charge he has no say in who they may or may not buy

[dibraidio]

No point in any takeover unless a significant amount of money is made available for ‘quality’ player recruitment.

I am sure that Mr Garlick has made that clear - as the number 1 objective of any sale - to any interested potential buyers.

I would have thought that Mike Garlick's number 1 objective was to get as much money as he could. The fact that he even entertained a bid from Farnell tells you a lot about his priorities.

Personally I would see a plan to spend massively as a huge risk and an indicator that the potential buyers didn't really have a viable business plan for the club.

With Tarkowski likely to go and 40 million plus in the bank it would be very easy to go on a "massive" January spending spree but that would completely blow away the "relegation safety fund" that could stop us becoming another Wigan/Bolton/Charlton/Portsmouth...

[bennitor]

Are we absolutely 100% certain these guys aren't trying to buy Barnsley?

[Grumps]

Was that in the last window? You might be right... However, I suppose a 3rd choice keeper isn't a 'significant' signing though.

Maybe not, but not under 23 either

[Sutton-Claret]

I have it on good authority and from a reliable source that ALK Capital will only sign off the deal when this thread reaches 100 pages........

[clansman]

Can we have a sweep Sutton. I reckon deal will be done by page 93

[FactualFrank]

Are we absolutely 100% certain these guys aren't trying to buy Barnsley?

And that they know the Premier League has relegation.

[Jakubclaret]

To be fair, I always think we create enough chances to win a game. What we are not doing this season is being as effective with set-pieces. I’d say that our delivery has been poorer, but teams are probably cottoning on how to defend against us too. We badly need improved quality and some effective variation at set-pieces.

I agree confidence and morale around the club seems low. You could tell in Sean’s tone pre-season there was obviously dissatisfaction there and I think that quickly translates to the players. Hopefully that quickly evaporates if a takeover happens and we get some funds to strengthen.

Assuming it’s ALK, you’d very much doubt they have infinite amounts of money to grow at the club, so they’ll have an interesting balance to strike when a takeover goes through - to create hope and optimism without setting unrealistic expectations.

Devoid of any purposeful conviction though, the palace goal came about from Kouyaté via a Dann Unlucky bounce for jays assist, their all count I won’t argue on that score, Opening teams up & being ruthless on a clinical level falls too short if you want to outscore the opposition anyhow, this season I think in terms of entertainment we’ll be seeing 1-nil grinds out as we did with palace.

[aggi]

I would have thought that Mike Garlick's number 1 objective was to get as much money as he could. The fact that he even entertained a bid from Farnell tells you a lot about his priorities.

Personally I would see a plan to spend massively as a huge risk and an indicator that the potential buyers didn't really have a viable business plan for the club.

With Tarkowski likely to go and 40 million plus in the bank it would be very easy to go on a "massive" January spending spree but that would completely blow away the "relegation safety fund" that could stop us becoming another Wigan/Bolton/Charlton/Portsmouth...

The reason that relegation safety fund is required is because our owners don't have the wealth to sustain premier league funding in the championship. If we have owners with deeper pockets then theoretically that fund isn't as necessary.

Newcastle are a good example. They went down, kept most of their squad together, made a huge loss but got promoted again.

A lot of the clubs you've listed had bigger issues.