Red Bull squashes Leeds United takeover bid speculation

The ownership of Leeds United has once again come into the spotlight as it was rumoured late last week that Red Bull were looking to take over the Yorkshire-based football club.

However, over the weekend the energy drink giant was forced to deny reports suggesting it made a multi-million pound bid to Leeds United’s majority shareholder Eleonora Sport.

“Another involvement in football is not planned,” Oliver Mintzlaff, head of global football marketing of the Group, told the German news agency dpa, ITV Newsreports.

This statement was also a response to comments made by Leeds’ suspended Italian owner Massimo Cellino, who claimed there were ongoing talks about a £60m takeover.

The Yorkshire Evening Post has quoted Mr Cellino as saying: “There is an offer. I didn’t know about it but I spoke just now with Giampaolo Caboni, one of the directors of Eleonora Sport.

“He said Red Bull has made an offer for the club. The shareholder will have to think about it. I don’t know what they will do.”

Mr Cellino’s suspension from having any managing role in Leeds United will be lifted in the coming weeks, but he has already confirmed he won’t be returning to the club.

This news comes only days after the Leeds Fans Limited Liability Partnership launched the Leeds Fans Community Benefit Society, an initiative aiming to raise around £10m to buy a minority stake in the Yorkshire football club.