Charlton Athletic are close to being bought by an international group, club representative Lieven De Turck has confirmed.
Speaking at a fans forum last night, De Turk said that current owner Roland Duchatelet had a agreed on a price for the club with the group and were in due diligence
De Turk also revealed that negotiations were still ongoing with an Australian consortium and British group, with all three parties wishing to complete a deal by the end of June to enable preparations for the 2019/20 season.
De Turck denied suggestions that Duchatelet, who has been looking to sell Charlton since the end of 2017, had set an asking price of £65million.
Charlton fans will be delighted with the news but will not entirely believe it until the completion of a deal. Duchatelet’s eccentric ownership of the club has led to several fan protests including the advocation of a season ticket boycott.
The atmosphere around the Valley has been febrile since the Belgian millionaire took over the club in 2014 to embark on a reign that saw them relegated from the Championship two years later.
Speculation on who is behind the international group continues, with Charlton fans hoping their long wait to see the back of the despised Duchatelet will be over in the summer.
All De Turck would say on the identity of the proposed new owner was that they ‘have the money and a previous experience in English football.’
Addick fans will also be hoping the new owners, whoever they are, bring some much-needed stability and investment to a club that despite its off-field problems has a real chance of promotion back to the championship via the playoffs this season.
Our View
Our sincere hope is that Duchatelet is finally on his way out of the club.
Our other wish is the new group are worthy stewards of the grand old club.
It is up to the EFL to make sure they are worthy of the honour.
Addick supporters deserve nothing less.
