The 49ers became the majority shareholders at Rangers towards the end of last season, which raised eyebrows at Leeds United. However, the American consortium’s investments around football are expected to have the Whites at the heart of everything.
Getting promoted to the Premier League was a big part of the 49ers’ plans around Leeds, and they are keen to ensure that they continue to remain a top-flight club over the next few years.
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The Americans believe that if Leeds remain in the Premier League, they are in line to have a £1bn valuation by 2030, through sustained investment in the stadium and on new players over the next three to four seasons.
However, the 49ers have an interest in Rangers as well, and are believed to be ready to leverage the Scottish giants to help Leeds grow further.
But the American consortium has been warned that Rangers are not a lesser club compared to Leeds.
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Chris Sutton weighs in on the Leeds United and Rangers debate amid the 49ers conflict
Leeds’ Premier League status gives them an obvious advantage over Rangers, and their revenue for this season is expected to dwarf what the Scottish giants will generate.
However, Sutton insisted that it is unfair to compare the finances as Leeds are in the Premier League, the most financially robust league in the world.
But the former Celtic star insisted that, given the size of both the Glasgow giants, it would be unfair to underestimate them compared to Leeds in England.
“Do not underestimate the size of Rangers and Celtic. You know that. Let’s not go down the financial route”, Sutton said on the BBC’s 606 phone-in.
“I don’t know if you recognise, but Leeds play in the English Premier League.
“They play in a different country.”
No conflict of interest between Leeds and Rangers YET
Leeds fans are not happy with the amount of money the 49ers spent in the summer or the quality of players brought in. They have left the squad short in the final third.
Rangers did spend big towards the end of the window, but there is little evidence to suggest that money was diverted from Leeds to Ibrox in the summer.
The 49ers understand the importance of Leeds and the Premier League, and they are always going to take centre stage over Rangers. For now, there is no conflict of interest.
However, Leeds fans will ask questions of the 49ers if the lack of proper investment leads to the Whites getting relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.
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