Campbell linked with a Baggies takeover bid
American-based investor Mark Campbell has been linked with a takeover bid for West Brom – two years after holding talks with Stewart Donald over Sunderland AFC.
Campbell engaged in lengthy talks with Donald in 2019 over taking control of the Black Cats, before a deal failed to come to fruition.
The discussions were documented in the Netflix series Sunderland ‘Til I Die, with Campbell and an associate filmed meeting the Sunderland owner at the Academy of Light.
Campbell, who made his name in real estate, had Scottish talent-spotter John Park as part of his team.
His name re-surfaced last year after Donald went public with his asking price for the club, while the businessman – who is based in New York – also engaged in talks with Scottish side Falkirk over a takeover deal. He was named as the Bairns’ preferred bidder in the summer of 2019, but a deal did not materialise.
And now Campbell is reportedly eyeing a move for Premier League side West Brom.
The Daily Mail report that Campbell and his Fairway Sports Capital group are one of three parties interested in a deal for the Baggies, whose current owner Lai Guochuan is keen to sell.
The Mail report suggests that three parties, including Campbell’s, have submitted offers for the club – which Guochuan values at close to £200million.
A preferred bidder is set to be named next week as the current hierarchy examine the bids, all of which are thought to include penalty clauses should West Brom be relegated from the Premier League this term.