Southampton owners turn down £180m takeover bid from Chinese consortium – with offer reportedly £90m short of asking price
SOUTHAMPTON have rejected a £180million bid for the club from a Chinese party - with the bid reportedly £90m SHORT of their asking price.
Owner Katharina Liebherr and the club want £270m for the South Coast club, with the heiress referring to a "potential partnership" in a statement to fans yesterday.
Talks with Chinese company Lander Sports Development are ongoing, but contrary to news on Thursday, there has been no fee agreed for the sale of the club.
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Lander had the opportunity to seal the deal for the club during a six-week exclusivity period after their first offer.
But , the two parties are nearly £100m apart in their valuation of the club.
There is also speculation over how much of the club Liebherr wants to part with, after stating that she was looking for a "potential partnership" with any interested investors.
It was a sobering statement after the club reached its first major final in 14 years after beating Liverpool 2-0 over two legs of the EFL Cup semi-finals.
In her letter, Liebherr makes clear that she IS looking for a cash injection into the club, that has had its own fair share of financial problems over the years.
Katharina Liebherr statement
A letter to the fans of Southampton Football Club.
I am writing to you in relation to an announcement made in China today about Southampton Football Club and Lander Holding.
Please understand that I can only make limited comments regarding this process but I can assure you that any steps we do take will be in the best interests of the club.
A potential partnership would need to clear multiple approvals and fulfil strict criteria before being confirmed.
The Premier League is increasingly competitive; we need to keep moving forward and look to new markets for commercial growth, innovation and to share our journey.
Together we have had many years of progression and success, and ensuring this continues is the main focus of any possible partnership.
I cannot thank you enough for the continued support you give Southampton Football Club, and it makes me so proud to think we will soon be experiencing a major final together at Wembley.
I hope you enjoy what will be a brilliant day for our club and look forward to a successful future together.
We March On, Katharina Liebherr
Liebherr inherited the club in 2010 from her father Markus, who headed up the MALI Internationaal group, who specialise in designing rail and haulage transport.
He bought the club for just £14m in 2009 after they were placed into administration.
Chinese companies have previously invested in Manchester City and West Brom, and according to Reuters, they are a property company based in China, who have principally engaged in property development and distribution.
The company provides residential community projects, which are located throughout China as well as being involved in distribution and trading of energy, property leasing and catering businesses.
They are also involved in the leasing, development and distribution of sports.
Industry experts have valued Southampton FC between £160m and £220m and the club's annual turnover is set to hit £105m this season.