49ers on course to purchase Leeds United

The York family, who own NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, are on course to complete the purchase of Leeds United in the near future.

90min were first to reveal last year that 49ers Enterprises - the investment vehicle for the NFL side and their owners - were planning on a full buy-out having already bought a minority shareholding in the West Yorkshire giants.

And we can now confirm 49ers Enterprises are indeed pushing ahead with their plans to become owners of the club.

Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani secured the club in 2017 but was quick in looking for serious investment to help take them forward and held talks with a number of interested parties - including Paris Saint Germain owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).

But it was the 49ers who continued the growing trend of American investors coming into English football when they purchased an initial 15%. That rose to 37% in January this year before an additional 7% in November.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that 49ers Enterprises have been concluding internal reports and putting together plans for the future of the club, ahead of finalising a deal to become majority shareholders.

Radrizzani is hoping to still play a role at the club after a sale, but those details have not been hammered out or agreed on yet.

As part of their ongoing investment, the 49ers anticipate finalising a deal within the next 12 months, although it is believed an official deadline is set for the end of 2023.

Radrizzani is confident that Leeds' future is in very good hands with the York family and is sure they will put the right plans in place to make them a Premier League force in the long-term.