US fund interested in Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos appears to have wooed a third bidder for its majority stake, as the chairman of London-based Axiom Capital confirmed on October 11 that the respected consultancy has found a US investor interested in buying the Greens.
Axiom Capital’s Tony Drury spoke to Greek sports website gazzetta.gr confirming that his firm has secured a bid for the stake owned by the Vardinoyiannis family.
“It is true that we have an investor who wants to acquire a majority stake in Panathinaikos. The first contact with the Vardinoyiannis family has already taken place and it is possible to have a meeting in the coming days,» Drury told the website.
He added that «the only thing you need to know at this point is that this is about funds from America. They wish to invest in Greece in general, and not just in soccer.»
Axiom Capital will send a representative to Athens on October 12 who will have a meeting with the Vardinoyiannis family’s lawyers the following day with a view to purchasing a 54.7 percent stake in the Athens club, which Saudi Prince Sultan al-Saud is also eyeing.
Yiannis Vardinoyiannis is said to be well aware of this latest bid by a specific fund that is known to be involved in sports in the US and has a budget of $3 billion for sports, according to a report on Skai TV.
This is the third expression of interest Panathinaikos will have, as besides the Saudi prince, who has tabled a formal offer, Abu Dhabi-based Arboris Capital had also expressed an interest in finding a buyer in the Arab emirate for the Athens club.
