Re: AVFC Takeover Thread, Rumours, Gossip and Hearsay...all goes here

[Trotters]

Bob Rich is a prominent one you left off your list that's been heavily linked and connected by time and place.

Usmanov would be interesting because he'd definitely have a point to prove.

The unknowns of Azerbaijan and China would certainly keep us on our toes!

An English consortium of wannabe's would have me reaching for the rope.

[TheTechniqueSMC]

Arison would be a good owner, If he follows the same method he has done at the Miami Heat in which he spent what was necessary in order to compete on all levels i.e. The NBA Championship and Marketing income, The Heat were a stop start team until he took them over, I would be happy if he could do the same for us at Villa.

Anschultz would be another group for the same reasons above I would welcome there knowledge of sports entertainment and infrastructure would be a solid move into premier league territory with Villa.

Dalian Wanda would be here for one reason and one reason only to grow the club's branding in China and make as much money as possible, The only way that happens is by spending on quality players and selling tickets and merchandise, They would be the jackpot owners if we were purchased by them or someone like them.

My preferred choice would be the Chinese bidders purely because there culture doesn't allow them to be second best its a driven nature to be Number 1 I cannot see any Chinese group being happy to sit on the whim of just making money and not investing to make us compete with the best long term.

[Trotters]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

[villabromsgrove]

Bob Rich is a prominent one you left off your list that's been heavily linked and connected by time and place.

Usmanov would be interesting because he'd definitely have a point to prove.

The unknowns of Azerbaijan and China would certainly keep us on our toes!

An English consortium of wannabe's would have me reaching for the rope.

The reason I left Rich out was down to his comment that he didn't like losing money, and in his opinion owning a Premier League club was a sure way to lose money. However, that was said before the huge new media contracts were announced, so maybe he's changed his mind.

I'd love Usmanov, but it's so unlikely to happen.

[villabromsgrove]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

There's a hell of a difference between Hong Kong chancers, and mainland Chinese investing with the tacit approval of the Chinese government.

[TheTechniqueSMC]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

Don't mistake a Hong Kong Chinese Businessman for an Actual China based Chinese businessman both 2 very different types of Chinese people, 2 completely different languages and 2 different types of history acknowledged.

[TheTechniqueSMC]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

There's a hell of a difference between Hong Kong chancers, and mainland Chinese investing with the tacit approval of the Chinese government.

Indeed there 2 different types of people and culture I know first hand with my wife's family who is from mainland China.

[ViewFromT2]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

There's a hell of a difference between Hong Kong chancers, and mainland Chinese investing with the tacit approval of the Chinese government.

Indeed there 2 different types of people and culture I know first hand with my wife's family who is from mainland China.

SMC...are the Chinese likely (or even allowed) to effectively throw money away on a foreign sports team?
Let's be honest, nobody (should) buy a premier league team to make money. It's ludicrous!

For instance, aside from the initial purchase, I just don't see the Chinese government allowing £30m-£40m of Chinese money to be spent on players season after season with little to no return, which is exactly what we will need/expect.
Unless you believe that 5 or 6 years down the line the value of Aston Villa could have grown from £150m to £500m-£600m? In which case, fair enough, maybe they do see it the same as a property investment.

Personally I just don't see us in Chinese hands, I really don't. I just think Lerner will sell to somebody he knows and trusts, and I think whoever this 'exclusivity' deal is with they have most likely been in the hunt since day one.

[GadgetMan]

Usmanov or Anschutz would impress me because of their wealth and football knowledge.

Dalian Wanda would excite me because it would be a step into the unknown.

Josh Harris would leave me underwhelmed and worried with his background of buying struggling teams with big media contracts.

Arison would produce a considerable buzz, but he has a reputation for capping wages and failing to go the extra mile with his team investment.

Todd Boehly would be a really solid investor and someone I'd welcome.

Ray Davis and Bob Simpson would be a solid and safe combination.

The Azeri's would be another exciting and potentially worrisome roller coaster ride.

I'm sure they're are many other groups that I've left out including HH's group.

So what do you reckon guys?

Who are your favourite potential new owners?  Also who do you least want to takeover Villa?

Todd Boehly with Henry Silverman were linked a few months back, a big yes from me on that one.

Usmanov would have to sell his stake (rather pubically you'd think) in arsenal to buy villa. Another yes though.

Wanda Grouo would be huge!!!

I think we'll end up with a steady eddy in a similar mould to Lerner, however with a fresh appetite to succeed and possibly a little but more disposable wealth. That would point to someone like Bob Rich.

All guesswork, but I'd want an interesting open owner who communicated freely with the fans and press (or had a chairman to do it, just get rid of this cloak of secrecy) I'd want ambition and an intial outlay to get us up the table quickly and then I have no problem with steady investment coupled with savvy business practices and self sustaining (mid to long term) if we're expecting a sugar daddy and riches like Man City I think we'll be disappointed. UTV

[deadbuzzardalive]

Dalian Wanda might not make much money directly from Aston Villa football club. But they'd probably use us, as a vehicle to advertise themselves in the west. In a similar way to what the Man City owners have done with their business.

[ViewFromT2]

Dalian Wanda might not make much money directly from Aston Villa football club. But they'd probably use us, as a vehicle to advertise themselves in the west. In a similar way to what the Man City owners have done with their business.

Well that makes sense. Never really looked at it that way.

[TheTechniqueSMC]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

There's a hell of a difference between Hong Kong chancers, and mainland Chinese investing with the tacit approval of the Chinese government.

Indeed there 2 different types of people and culture I know first hand with my wife's family who is from mainland China.

SMC...are the Chinese likely (or even allowed) to effectively throw money away on a foreign sports team?
Let's be honest, nobody (should) buy a premier league team to make money. It's ludicrous!

For instance, aside from the initial purchase, I just don't see the Chinese government allowing £30m-£40m of Chinese money to be spent on players season after season with little to no return, which is exactly what we will need/expect.
Unless you believe that 5 or 6 years down the line the value of Aston Villa could have grown from £150m to £500m-£600m? In which case, fair enough, maybe they do see it the same as a property investment.

Personally I just don't see us in Chinese hands, I really don't. I just think Lerner will sell to somebody he knows and trusts, and I think whoever this 'exclusivity' deal is with they have most likely been in the hunt since day one.

Those are fair questions T2

Basically Chinese money cannot leave China BUT pretty much all major businesses in China trade in the American Dollar and pay there citizens in Chinese Yuan therefore it is possible for them to openly spend money/invest in international products.

Dalian Wanda bought a Sports Marketing firm in Switzerland and incorporated them into the Wanda Group they use that company as its vehicle to invest in football in Europe like they did to buy 20% of Atletico Madrid several months ago. Wanda Group is also a publicly traded company on the HK stock exchange so again back to money previously mentioned they can buy Villa through any exchange rate of the Yuan to Dollar or GBP which ever come easier.

Ultimately I don't know the in's outs of Chinese govt input but I would imagine they pay a small premium in taxation somewhere in the accounts.

[ViewFromT2]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

There's a hell of a difference between Hong Kong chancers, and mainland Chinese investing with the tacit approval of the Chinese government.

Indeed there 2 different types of people and culture I know first hand with my wife's family who is from mainland China.

SMC...are the Chinese likely (or even allowed) to effectively throw money away on a foreign sports team?
Let's be honest, nobody (should) buy a premier league team to make money. It's ludicrous!

For instance, aside from the initial purchase, I just don't see the Chinese government allowing £30m-£40m of Chinese money to be spent on players season after season with little to no return, which is exactly what we will need/expect.
Unless you believe that 5 or 6 years down the line the value of Aston Villa could have grown from £150m to £500m-£600m? In which case, fair enough, maybe they do see it the same as a property investment.

Personally I just don't see us in Chinese hands, I really don't. I just think Lerner will sell to somebody he knows and trusts, and I think whoever this 'exclusivity' deal is with they have most likely been in the hunt since day one.

Those are fair questions T2

Basically Chinese money cannot leave China BUT pretty much all major businesses in China trade in the American Dollar and pay there citizens in Chinese Yuan therefore it is possible for them to openly spend money/invest in international products.

Dalian Wanda bought a Sports Marketing firm in Switzerland and incorporated them into the Wanda Group they use that company as its vehicle to invest in football in Europe like they did to buy 20% of Atletico Madrid several months ago. Wanda Group is also a publicly traded company on the HK stock exchange so again back to money previously mentioned they can buy Villa through any exchange rate of the Yuan to Dollar or GBP which ever come easier.

Ultimately I don't know the in's outs of Chinese govt input but I would imagine they pay a small premium in taxation somewhere in the accounts.

Thanks for the info SMC....if it is Chinese investment we are heading for....kinda explains how long it is taking/will take!

Oh, and that Sports Marketing firm you mention that Wanda Group bought, was owned by Sepp Blatters nephew I believe....and funnily enough, Wang Jianlin got an invite to the recent FIFA Congress!!

[TheTechniqueSMC]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

There's a hell of a difference between Hong Kong chancers, and mainland Chinese investing with the tacit approval of the Chinese government.

Indeed there 2 different types of people and culture I know first hand with my wife's family who is from mainland China.

SMC...are the Chinese likely (or even allowed) to effectively throw money away on a foreign sports team?
Let's be honest, nobody (should) buy a premier league team to make money. It's ludicrous!

For instance, aside from the initial purchase, I just don't see the Chinese government allowing £30m-£40m of Chinese money to be spent on players season after season with little to no return, which is exactly what we will need/expect.
Unless you believe that 5 or 6 years down the line the value of Aston Villa could have grown from £150m to £500m-£600m? In which case, fair enough, maybe they do see it the same as a property investment.

Personally I just don't see us in Chinese hands, I really don't. I just think Lerner will sell to somebody he knows and trusts, and I think whoever this 'exclusivity' deal is with they have most likely been in the hunt since day one.

Those are fair questions T2

Basically Chinese money cannot leave China BUT pretty much all major businesses in China trade in the American Dollar and pay there citizens in Chinese Yuan therefore it is possible for them to openly spend money/invest in international products.

Dalian Wanda bought a Sports Marketing firm in Switzerland and incorporated them into the Wanda Group they use that company as its vehicle to invest in football in Europe like they did to buy 20% of Atletico Madrid several months ago. Wanda Group is also a publicly traded company on the HK stock exchange so again back to money previously mentioned they can buy Villa through any exchange rate of the Yuan to Dollar or GBP which ever come easier.

Ultimately I don't know the in's outs of Chinese govt input but I would imagine they pay a small premium in taxation somewhere in the accounts.

Thanks for the info SMC....if it is Chinese investment we are heading for....kinda explains how long it is taking/will take!

Oh, and that Sports Marketing firm you mention that Wanda Group bought, was owned by Sepp Blatters nephew I believe....and funnily enough, Wang Jianlin got an invite to the recent FIFA Congress!!

They used that Swiss marketing firm then created a subsidiary vehicle from it called Wanda Madrid Group, I would imagine if we were the object of any takeover they would create a new vehicle in similar fashion. As for anything Blatter related MEH!! Can't hold a grudge against the son for his fathers scumbagish ways.

[Dions_Bald_Head]

Dalian Wanda might not make much money directly from Aston Villa football club. But they'd probably use us, as a vehicle to advertise themselves in the west. In a similar way to what the Man City owners have done with their business.

Seems easier and cheaper (and probably more effective) to be the shirt sponsor doesn't it?

[deadbuzzardalive]

Dalian Wanda might not make much money directly from Aston Villa football club. But they'd probably use us, as a vehicle to advertise themselves in the west. In a similar way to what the Man City owners have done with their business.

Seems easier and cheaper (and probably more effective) to be the shirt sponsor doesn't it?

They could do that, but they wouldn't get nearly as much exposure as they would from actually owning the team and making a difference. Obviously to get as noticed as the Man City owners have done, they'd have to really go for it, something which could be a problem with FFP.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Not that I think it's going to be Dalian Wanda though. It could be absolutely anyone and from who knows where.

[The Utterer]

For me so long as they can make us competitive with the top 4 i'm happy.

[banneruk]

I think building for a top half finish should be the plan for next season. Then push on to a top 6 finish and hopefully start pushing the top 4. That would do for starters

[tbarrules]

Top 10 next Season.

Anything Else will be A Failure of a Season. It Looks like Sherwood Will be Backed so No excuses.

[gdav]

If we don't win the treble next season I'll be pissed off.  

[VillaBill]

As long as we can remain unbeaten all season, win both the cups & the league , followed by Champions League domination , the Super Cup then the inter planetary invite trophy & let all the fans in for £1 , that will do for me !

[jeffvilla]

[Trotters]

Like the clowns that bought Blues, you mean?

There's a hell of a difference between Hong Kong chancers, and mainland Chinese investing with the tacit approval of the Chinese government.

Indeed there 2 different types of people and culture I know first hand with my wife's family who is from mainland China.

....but all moved to the USA and became tax accountants and marketing experts.

[Trotters]

Dalian Wanda might not make much money directly from Aston Villa football club. But they'd probably use us, as a vehicle to advertise themselves in the west. In a similar way to what the Man City owners have done with their business.

That's always been my thinking. You can spend silly money if you can justify it/wrrite it off against something else. The Azerbaijanis have a bigger product to sell as, i guess, would Wanda. The Americans....who knows? Maybe just for the sake of being in it to win it. I don't buy into that scenario though.

For me it's a Chinese group with a msg to sell.

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