Blackburn Latest Takeover Target - 14/06/2007

An unidentified American investor has expressed an interest in taking over Blackburn Rovers football club. Blackburn have appointed Rothschilds to advise them with the club stating that they would be 'willing sellers in discussions with third parties.' Chairman John Williams commented, 'We have made some progress with a third party but it is very difficult because of all the formalities involved.' Because 99.8 per cent of the club is owned by the Walker Trust, a takeover at Blackburn would be easier than elsewhere. The takeover at Birmingham appears to be proceeding slowly and that at Manchester City has run into difficulties, but should all three takeovers go ahead, over half of the clubs in the Premiership will have foreign owners.