Pace/ALK set to buy Espanyol?

[agreenwood]

https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/espany ... -118531911

Close according to the above.

[clarets1978]

Not sure I like the comment at the end that Espanyol would be his parent team

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Odds on Espanyol being the high profile friendly?

[BurnleyFC]

Very surprising if that happens.

They’re a club with much bigger potential than ourselves.

[BigGaz]

Not sure I like the comment at the end that Espanyol would be his parent team

That's what they might be saying to get the deal done and to smooth the transition with the fans but money talks, and England is where the money is. It is more profitable for Burnley to be in the PL than it is for Espanyol to be in the Primera Liga, so I would think the reverse would be too as long as we are in the PL. Might be a different story when we inevitably return to the Champ though.

[Cheshireclaret]

Odds on Espanyol being the high profile friendly?

Iguala

[daveisaclaret]

Horrible and awful if true. Multi-club ownership is an absolute blight on any football club, the potential of becoming a junior part of it is unthinkable.

Still, I wonder if the Espanyol fans would think Pace really "gets" it too.

[ArmchairDetective]

Can someone kindly do me a favour and post the article on here? That website works terribly on my phone.

[Casper2]

So the money he’s taken out of our club will be used to purchase another club , not surprised in the least .

[Leisure]

Iguala

Easier just to say evens.

[BigGaz]

Horrible and awful if true. Multi-club ownership is an absolute blight on any football club, the potential of becoming a junior part of it is unthinkable.

Still, I wonder if the Espanyol fans would think Pace really "gets" it too.

No doubt one of the directors distant relations was a paella farmer or part of the Catalan independence movement and feels a deep connection in his blood.

[jedi_master]

If this happens…well.

[Stalbansclaret]

No doubt one of the directors distant relations was a paella farmer or part of the Catalan independence movement and feels a deep connection in his blood.

I have logged on just to thank you for introducing me to the expression “paella farmer”

[123EasyasBFC]

The biggest issue in all this is the fact espanyol play in blue and white!

[Marney&Mee]

Will be a nightmare when we both qualify for Europe next season…

[BigGaz]

I have logged on just to thank you for introducing me to the expression “paella farmer”

I'm sure it's a very profitable industry

[Cheshireclaret]

Easier just to say evens.

Spoken like a true Brit abroad

Just teasing to be clear…….

[Tall Paul]

Can someone kindly do me a favour and post the article on here? That website works terribly on my phone.

Chen Yansheng, cerca de vender el Espanyol: Días clave en la negociación
Alan Pace, propietario del Burnley, ha lanzado una oferta y fuentes cercanas a las conversaciones aseguran que la operación está en fase de cierre
Alan Pace, propietario del Burnley

Alan Pace, propietario del Burnley / ALAN PACE / INSTAGRAM
L. Miguelsanz

L. Miguelsanz
12 JUN 2025 9:10

Puede ser una de las grandes operaciones del verano en el mercado futbolístico. El actual propietario del Espanyol, Chen Yansheng, tiene muy avanzadas las negociaciones paras vender el club blanquiazul y se espera que este mes de junio sea clave para que todo pueda concretarse para bien o para mal. 'La Grada' avanzó el interés del propietario del Burnley, Alan Pace, en la adquisición de la entidad espanyolista y SPORT puede confirmar que hay oferta cerrada encima de la mesa y que estaría prácticamente aceptada. La operación estaría en fase de 'closing' o cierre como aseguran fuentes de la negociación a la espera de la próxima Junta de Accionistas del club.

Es una compra que se ha gestado durante mucho tiempo. Alan Pace es copropietario del fondo ALK Capital, directamente relacionado con el mundo del deporte. El empresario norteamericano tuvo ya experiencias en el Salt Lake City y en el 2020 adquirió el 87 por ciento del Burnley por unos 220 millones de euros, club que ha gestionado hasta ahora y con el que quiere iniciar una expansión a nivel internacional. El Espanyol sería su segunda gran adquisición.

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La operación se inició principios del 2025 con una carta de intenciones para adquirir la totalidad del capital social en manos de Chen Yansheng. En estos meses, la emporesa de Pace ha realizado una 'due dilligence' y se ha convencido de que es el proyecto perfecto para su llegada a España. En el mes de abril comenzaron las negociaciones definitivas y en mayo se lanzó la oferta final. Fuentes de la negociación hablan de un montante total de unos 190 millones de euros a expensas de lo que suceda con la ampliación de capital prevista para este mes de junio y que el propietario chino debería completar.

Este sería el único punto a concluir para que la operación saliera adelante. Chen se ha comprometido en capitalizar deuda con Rastar a través de acciones por un montante superior a los 38 millones de euros. Este movimiento era clave para que el club blanquiazul prácticamente se quedara sin deuda y pudiese regresar a la regla del 1:1 operando con normalidad en el mercado. En la Junta del próximo 27 de julio debería aprobarse este punto y una vez completado, el club estaría listo para ser vendido en el caso de que Chen acabe aceptando la oferta defintiva de Alan Pace.

Alan Pace no ha realizado movimientos por otros clubs como se está asegurando, ni se interesó por el Getafe. Hizo una prospección de mercado en España y tuvo claro desde un primer momento que el Espanyol era la entidad elegida. Por masa social, por la ciudad y por su cantera y activos patrimoniales. Y el grupo de Pace solo ha emprendido una negociación con el club blanquiazul. En estos momentos hay muchísimo optimismo de que todo pueda cuajar aunque dependerá de Chen.

La idea de Alan Pace es hacer crecer al Espanyol para convertirle en un club que participe en competiciones europeas de forma asidua. Tienen claro que están ante una oportunidad de colocarse por debajo solo de Real Madrid, Barça y Atlético y que hay potencial para lograrlo si se invierte en la parcela deportiva. Alan Pace y su fondo inversor son especialistas en tecnología en el deporte que han aplicado a la gestión de sus clubs y proyectos deportivos con éxito. Tienen varias app y programas informáticos de seguimientos de futbolistas y de estadísticas y están convencidos de que es el camino a seguir para poder avanzar en un proyecto ganador.

Alan Pace tiene claro también que el Espanyol debería ser el equipo matriz de todo su conglomerado por lo que la mayoría de esfuerzos económicos irían a parar a la entidad blanquiazul. Están realmente entusiasmados y a la espera de que Chen cumpla con la ampliación de capital y puedan completar la operación en unas semanas. El Espanyol, sin duda, daría un vuelco espectacular tras la nula inversión del Grupo Rasta y Chen Yansheng en los últimos años, que ha provocado una crisis deportiva e institucional muy importante. Y con varios descensos a sus espaldas. Pace y ALK Capital darían estabilidad en todos los sentidos y, sobre todo, capacidad de inversión. No está hecho, pero quieren comprar y van por buen camino. Todo está ahora en manos de Chen.

You're welcome

[Goliath]

Wouldn't we have a higher revenue than Espanyol with the PL money. Would be strange to be the feeder club to a club with less money.
Unless it's possible they could use the PL money to help fund Espanyol?

[Darnhill Claret]

Or be positive and consider our chances of loaning a better quality of player. Or some skilful movement of players between the two clubs. A stronger Espanyol could mean a stronger Burnley, and vice versa.
I think we would link very well, Catalonia and East Lancashire.
It's Burnley, not Barcelona or Espanyol.

[randomclaret2]

Didnt Pace supposedly fall in love with football whilst visiting Barcelona in his youth ?

[Quickenthetempo]

How can they buy another club when they haven't even paid our/their debts/loans off at Burnley.

[RVclaret]

How can they buy another club when they haven't even paid our/their debts/loans off at Burnley.

Welcome to the world of everyday business.

[fatboy47]

Messageboard resounds to the sound of pearls being clutched.

[Claretnick]

Isn't one of our directors a Spaniard?
Prof Antonio Davila

[ClaretTony]

Won't change my view on multi-club ownership

[BigGaz]

Or be positive and consider our chances of loaning a better quality of player. Or some skilful movement of players between the two clubs. A stronger Espanyol could mean a stronger Burnley, and vice versa.
I think we would link very well, Catalonia and East Lancashire.
It's Burnley, not Barcelona or Espanyol.

Yep. We signed Koleosho from them iirc and he was getting minutes for them.

I'm thinking for the players we're still unsure are good enough for the here and now might be able to get minutes at a higher level than the champ and either get them realising their potential or getting some fees.

Ramsay, Beyer, Pires, Koleosho, Banel, Agyei etc. could be very useful.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Espanyol only have one really good player, the goalkeeper Joan Garcia who is off to Barcelona (Arsenal wanted him).

Typically for games other than against the big two, the 40,000 stadium is little over half full. They are very similar to Burnley but the much weaker league clubs in Spain, other than the very top sides, gives them more hopes of European football compared to the giants we face regularly.

I also notice that the Church of LDS are building a new Temple in Barcelona. I wonder if that is linked? If so, one wonders if Mission to Burnley becomes Mission to Barcelona and Alan or others up sticks and relocate?

So I do see a risk that even if we retain the same ownership we lose a lot of energy, focus and direct match attendance.

[ClaretTony]

Yep. We signed Koleosho from them iirc and he was getting minutes for them.

I'm thinking for the players we're still unsure are good enough for the here and now might be able to get minutes at a higher level than the champ and either get them realising their potential or getting some fees.

Ramsay, Beyer, Pires, Koleosho, Banel, Agyei etc. could be very useful.

Would you still think it useful if it was the other way round. Imagine if we became their feeder club.

[Spike]

Dodgy

[colne-claret]

As long as they are lining their pockets they won’t care what we think.

[123EasyasBFC]

Would you still think it useful if it was the other way round. Imagine if we became their feeder club.

Really every club the size of Burnley is a feeder club to bigger clubs, multi club ownership or now.

Not a fan of the model and even more so with the current financial state of our club

[NewClaret]

I am not a fan of this, in particular the part about Espanyol being the primary club, but one thing is for certain - if ALK have €180m to spare on buying 56% of a Spanish club, they have backing and access to funding way beyond our comprehension and knowledge.

I’d personally not read too much in to this though, for now, we’ve been here before with several more realistic rumours that have come to nothing.

[123EasyasBFC]

I am not a fan of this, in particular the part about Espanyol being the primary club, but one thing is for certain - if ALK have €180m to spare on buying 56% of a Spanish club, they have backing and access to funding way beyond our comprehension and knowledge.

I’d personally not read too much in to this though, for now, we’ve been here before with several more realistic rumours that have come to nothing.

Could be funding from David checketts new group that came out a few weeks ago

[gawthorpe_view]

Espanyol hosted the recent Andorra v England game.

[BigGaz]

Would you still think it useful if it was the other way round. Imagine if we became their feeder club.

No, but it won't happen. The TV payment to La Liga is 292 million. 1st, 2nd and 3rd take a half of that, which leaves 145m for the rest of the league. 14th, where Espanyol finished most recently, receive 6 million.

Burnley will receive at the minimum 103 million if they come last.

Estimated payments for the Championship are between 5 and 12m per season.

As I mentioned above and as we all know, the money is in England and unless the current owners are completely hatstand they will be looking to prop up the end that generates the most revenue, or the potential to make the most revenue, not the other way around.

So for that reason I don't follow along with the "Espanyol have more potential" argument. They absolutely don't, Barca and Real have made it more of a closed shop than the PL is. Espanyol could win the league next season and they'd make half as much as Burnley would for finishing last. We may not like it, but that's football nowadays.

[EMANTO2]

And here half of the fans were Slating Mike Garlick for keeping the club financially sustainable. You got what you asked for and here we are down the line with now a financial mess

[Spijed]

Does that mean there will be plenty of empty seats in the directors box if Espanyol are at home on the same weekend we are playing at the Turf?

Will J.J. Watt now start wearing Esapanyol baseball caps

[ClaretTony]

No, but it won't happen. The TV payment to La Liga is 292 million. 1st, 2nd and 3rd take a half of that, which leaves 145m for the rest of the league. 14th, where Espanyol finished, receive 6 million.

Burnley will receive at the minimum 103 million if they come last.

Estimated payments for the Championship are between 5 and 12m per season.

As I mentioned above and as we all know, the money is in England and unless the current owners are completely hatstand they will be looking to prop up the end that generates the most revenue, or the potential to make the most revenue, not the other way around.

So for that reason I don't follow along with the "Espanyol have more potential" argument. They absolutely don't, Barca and Real have made it more of a closed shop than the PL is. Espanyol could win the league next season and they'd make half as much as Burnley would for finishing last. We may not like it, but that's football nowadays.

And do you think it's right if it is the other way round?

[Down_Rover]

I googled ‘ does Alan Pace own Espanyol?’

Absolutely not according to the A I response

Silly me for asking

[ClaretTony]

And here half of the fans were Slating Mike Garlick for keeping the club financially sustainable. You got what you asked for and here we are down the line with now a financial mess

I don't think anyone ever criticised Mike Garlick for keeping the club financially stable. The criticism came because of him no longer funding the football side as required to build up reserves to sell.

[Socrates]

Give Espanyol’s location it would fit in with the underdog marketing message they initially talked about pushing on us.

[claretspice]

I don't like Multi-Club ownership, at all but that is a systemic issue rather than a club specific one and ALK have never hidden their interest in it as a model.

The news is a touch concerning, but lets wait and see how it pans out before jumping to conclusions about what it means for Burnley.

[AlargeClaret]

I’m waiting for JJ Watt in the Espanyol colours drinking Patxaran with a parrot on his shoulder singing “ Espanyol till I die” before I get too concerned.

[NewClaret]

Could be funding from David checketts new group that came out a few weeks ago

That would be my guess.

I’d rather that funding were directed towards us reestablishing ourselves as a premier league club and upgrading the end-of-life parts of our ground though.

[quoonbeatz]

**** this.

[ArmchairDetective]

We'll all have our own views about multi club ownership models and how that sits ethically and for the integrity of the game.

Looking past that there are potential pros and cons for a club involved in it. If AP was to buy Espanyol we'd just have to hope that the pros for us outweigh the cons.

It's a bit pie in the sky but if AP was to achieve his goal of getting us and probably now them into Europe, would we get shafted due to the rules against owning two clubs in the same competition. But we've a few bridges to cross before if and when we get to that stage.

[BigGaz]

And do you think it's right if it is the other way round?

Sure, why not?

I'm not saying this as a 'gotcha' to you in particular Tony and nor am I seeking to discredit you at all but I've seen you go out to Bat for Joey Barton quite a few times. You described the misgivings of some people not keen on him being associated with us as moaning for example.

I won't mention what he's said and done as we all know but the point is, we've been happy to suspend our ethics and values as long as there's been a benefit to Burnley FC, and in his case he came in and did the business for us so we all looked the other way.

So I ask you if this partnership enabled us to sign players cheaply, get our players out on a bigger stage and realise their talent and value, what's the difference with turning a blind eye to that too?

Again, I say this with respect. I'm as guilty as the next bloke.

[boyyanno]

I personally think Multi Club ownership should be banned.

In our own circumstance whilst I'd hope the positives would outweigh the negatives it's going to stink seeing our owners shell out a shed load of cash that could be going to paying off the record debts they've accumulated here.

[Burnley1989]

some of the reactions on here