Sampdoria owner Massimo Ferrero released a statement expressing ‘surprise’ over the club’s recent press release, which suggested that a deal had been agreed with Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani.
On Saturday, the Blucerchiati released a statement explaining that ‘a preliminary agreement’ had been signed by the parties regarding the takeover, which would see Radrizzani and Matteo Manfredi take over the Ligurian outfit, possibly with some financial assistance from QSI, the owners of Paris Saint-Germain.
This has now been challenged. Pieremilio Sammarco, Ferrero’s lawyer released a statement last night which refuted these claims, suggesting that no agreement had been reached yet.
“We read with surprise the press release issued now by Sampdoria, according to which an agreement has been signed for the capital increase in the company by Gestio Capital and Aser Holding.
“In this regard, we point out that neither the owners nor the trustee have received a proposal to purchase the shares from the aforementioned companies or others, as no one has really made offers to them.
“If and when purchase proposals are made, the trustee and the estate will evaluate them for their sustainability.
“Furthermore, the board of directors cannot in any way commit the ownership or the trustee, nor can it take their place in decisions on the capital increase, which are the sole responsibility of the shareholders’ meeting.
“Any act in detrimental to the rights of the shareholders shall be subject to immediate legal action in civil and criminal courts.”
A meeting between Radrizzani, Manfredi and Ferrero will take place in Milan today, where the pair will try to meet an agreement with the Sampdoria owner. Should things go well, the new shareholders would go to the meeting on Monday and underwrite the €35m capital increase.
Should an agreement not be reached, the deal would be blocked and the club would be thrown back into the vortex of chaos, something that isn’t particularly in anyone’s interest.