Despite previous reports to the contrary, Guus Franke still wants to take over Vitesse, the Gelderland entrepreneur himself announced Broadcasting Gelderland. Vitesse confirmed on Monday at 16:50 via a press release that Franke had dropped out. “I am taking over Vitesse, there has been no blow-up at all,” said Franke.

Vitesse needs a new takeover party to be saved. The Arnhemmers have a debt of 14.3 million euros to Coley Parry, the American businessman who previously saw his takeover of Vitesse fall through.

Franke has been negotiating a deal with Parry for a long time. The American would be severely disadvantaged in the event of Vitesse's bankruptcy, but he is still negotiating with the sharpest edge. “I can tell you that these were the most difficult negotiations I have ever had,” says Franke about the talks with Parry.

Franke emphasizes that he has not withdrawn, not even from discussions with Vitesse itself. The entrepreneur is determined to help the Arnhemmers to a balanced budget. The club has until Monday evening 23:59 to submit the documents to the appeal committee for the retention of the club's professional license.

Several other candidates to take over Vitesse previously dropped out, including Michael van de Kuit, who owns GelreDome with his company Nedstede. General Daily Newspaper reported Monday afternoon that Vitesse has sent 'a plea' to Van de Kuit to save the club from ruin. Van de Kuit had previously been very critical of Franke, because the latter could not provide proof of his assets.

Franke bases himself on a self-proclaimed billion-dollar turnover with his investment company Axiom Partners. That company is based in Switzerland, where Franke has also lived for years.

Van de Kuit is the owner of GelreDome and has taken a tough stance in recent months: the rent for the stadium will not be reduced for Vitesse after the relegation to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, despite the fact that the club cannot afford the amount.

Hopeful news from Vitesse itself

Vitesse supporters gathered at Papendal on Monday evening. Interim director Edwin Reijntjes came to the supporters with hopeful news from the crisis meeting in the evening. “There is no white smoke yet, but we are almost there. The most important thing now is that it is settled between Common Group (Parry, ed.) and Franke. We still have a lot of homework to do for the KNVB. That will be after midnight. They want to reach an agreement. We are busy preparing all the documents for the KNVB.”

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