AS Roma's share price rose
another 16% on the Milan stock exchange Thursday amid
speculation that US magnate Dan Friedkin may be readying a bid
for the Giallorossi.
This came after a 16.6% surge on the initial rumours
Wednesday.
Friedkin, billionaire owner of the Texan group, is said to be
preparing a 600-million-euro bid for the Roman club.
Rome is currently owned by another American, James Pallotta,
who has a stake in the Boston Celtics basketball team.
Pallotta issued a statement late Wednesday saying
"preliminary contacts are in course with potential investors in
order to enable them to assess the advisability of a possible
investment in AS Roma SPV LLC", the company that indirectly
controls Roma via its Neep Holding unit.
Pallotta's holding company has so far always denied any
intention to sell the club, which has ambitious plans for a new
stadium.
But sources said a minority stake to boost the club's
finances might be welcome.
Friedkin's personal wealth is estimated at 4.2 billion
dollars and according to Forbes he is the 504th richest man on
the planet.
What is certain is that the Texan group, which distributes
Toyota exclusively in five US states, is looking ever depper
into the Rome dossier and sources could not rule out it taking a
majority stake.
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