Southampton will soon be taken over by Serbian billionaire Dragan Solak, various media in England confirm. According to Sky Sports Solak pays on behalf of the company Sport Republic an amount of 100 million pounds, converted approximately 120 million euros, to become a major shareholder of the Premier League club. The Sun even mentions an amount of 150 million pounds, converted approximately 180 million euros.
Solak will acquire eighty percent of Southampton’s shares from current major shareholder Gao Jisheng. The billionaire is the face of Sport Republic, an international organization that is considering bidding to acquire several clubs in Europe. The strategy resembles that of the City Football Group, the owner of Manchester City, among others. Rasmus Ankersen, former sporting director of Brentford, is also heavily involved in the Southampton acquisition, as he is the general manager of Sport Republic.
Another prominent figure surrounding the acquisition is Henrik Kraft, the chairman of Sport Republic. Kraft is a Danish investor living in London. According to The Sun following the takeover, he will become the chairman of Southampton and also of St Mary’s Football Group, the club’s parent company. Solak will become the major shareholder, but it is unclear to what extent he will directly interfere in the policy of the club. The Serb founded the United Group in 2000, now a telecom and media giant in Southeastern Europe. United Group owns the broadcasting rights for the Premier League in Serbia, among others.
Southampton was acquired by Gao Jisheng in 2017, but has been looking for a new owner for months. The club has not yet commented on the reports, but after West Ham United it appears to be the second Premier League club within a month to receive a new owner; West Ham was taken over by Czech multi-billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Southampton are currently in 14th place in the Premier League, with 21 points from 19 matches.
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