There’s been claims this week, from both France and Italy, that QSI, the owners of PSG, are interested in buying AS Roma.
On Wednesday evening, Le Parisien question all that, by saying it’s actually in England where QSI could invest. A Championship club is thought to be ideal, with examples named as Nottingham Forest, QPR and Aston Villa.
The French newspaper then brings up Eupen, and explains: ‘For Qatar, setting out to conquer England would be a new way to strengthen its presence in European football. This is of course materialised by the PSG but also by Eupen, in Belgium, led by Claude Makelele and property of the Aspire Academy.’
Now, which Championship club has a relationship with Aspire? Leeds United, of course.
In January 2018, Eupen announced the signing of Yuta Toyokawa. On their official website (in a report which is still there to this day) they said he’d be arriving on loan from Leeds, who had signed him permanently.
That wasn’t the case, but it clearly suggested something going on with the Aspire links, more so than had been reported. At the time, Toyokawa was training at the Aspire Academy in Doha.
Le Parisien may not be aware of the relationship, which is possibly why they the Yorkshire club was left off the list of examples. Alternatively it could be that Leeds wouldn’t be considered such a good investment if they gain promotion to the Premier League, with the potential price inevitably shooting up.
But if they don’t, and things are a long way from being guaranteed, then it clearly makes sense that Leeds’ Aspire links could come into play as QSI look for a Championship side.
Failing to secure promotion may lead to issues with investment, and the Andrea Radrizzani project generally.
Whilst Leeds fans are fond of their current owner, having experienced poor stewardship for so long, the prospect of QSI investment could be attractive.
Something to think about.
