The Athletic have reported that Armenian businessman Roman Gevorkyan is targeting a potential takeover of League One outfit Charlton Athletic.
The club have been up for sale all season, but supporters have had to sit back and watch as two potential takeovers both fell apart in the space of four months.
A group fronted by former Sunderland director Charlie Methven thought they had an agreement with current owner Thomas Sandgaard in December, however, the Dane would go on to change his mind in February, and the potential deal does not seem to hold much prospect in the near future.
The Armenian is not the only multi-club suitor interested in the club, with reported interest from Robert Platek, a partner at Michael Dell’s investment firm MSD Capital. Platek already owns clubs in Europe himself in the form of Serie A side Spezia, Portuguese top-flight side Casa Pia and Danish second-tier side Sonderjyske.
Who is Roman Gevorkyan?
Roman Gevorkyan is an Armenian businessman who already holds shares in football clubs across Europe, in what has recently been referred to as his Noah Football Group fleet. He currently comprises this fleet with Armenian Premier League side FC Noah, as well as stakes in Hungarian top flight side Debreceni VSC, Siena in Italy’s Serie C and last February, he added shares in Ligue 2 side Paris FC to his portfolio.
With all those sides already in his hands, the Armenian seems to be looking to add even more to his side and now turns to the former Premier League side to potentially make them the flagship of his fleet.
Fall from grace.
Charlton Athletic spent much of the first decade of the century as a Premier League club but things began to slip away from them and they were relegated in the 2006/07 season after a 19th-place finish.Â
After seven years in the Premier League, they would finally suffer the heartbreak of relegation and after one season where they finished 11th in the Championship, they would be relegation again the following season finishing bottom of the league.
Since then, they have been relegated twice and promoted twice, with the club bouncing between the two divisions and making themselves more of a staple in League One than in the Championship.
What’s been said?
Speaking via David Ornstein’s column with The Athletic, Matt Slater has reported the Armenian tycoon is interested in adding the Addicks to his portfolio.
A group thought they had a deal with current owner Thomas Sandgaard, but were knocked back with the Dane changing his mind in February. Since then, the group have returned with an improved offer, but Slater does not believe a deal will be possible now.
“Methven and his US backers have come back with an improved offer, but the fact they are also threatening to sue Sandgaard does not bode well for their prospects.”
With two others in contention for the ownership of the club, one of which Slater reports does not have the funds to complete the deal, the Armenian faces tough competition for the purchase, one coming in the form of Robert Platek, who also currently owns multiple football clubs.
Writers View.
Charlton finished their season strong, earning a point at Cheltenham Town, denied by a late Alfie May equaliser, finishing 10th in the league, they have certainly improved results on the pitch and the new contract Dean Holden signed only makes the future look brighter.
League One football holds many heavy hitters as of late, with the likes of Derby and Sheffield Wednesday in the league currently. If Sheffield Wednesday are to escape via the playoffs, Charlton can certainly start looking up the table and eyeing up another escape attempt.
The uncertainty has surrounded this club for a while now and it can not be easy for anyone involved, be they fans, players or staff, it needs addressing urgently and hopefully the club can resolve the situation over the summer before the new season and start next season strong.
