HARDY BELIEVES COUNTY SALE IS CLOSE
ALAN Hardy reckons the sale of Notts County will be agreed within a month and that the new owners will have the funds to take the club to the Championship.
Hardy said he has received two offers for the Magpies, despite them languishing at the foot of League Two and facing a winding-up petition for unpaid tax.
The first offer was made last Friday by a UKbased group that has already visited Meadow Lane and is due to meet Hardy in the coming days, while the second offer arrived on Saturday from a group “based outside of Europe”.
The second group is being advised by Charter House Corporate Partners boss Terry Pritchard, the hugely experienced football deal-maker.
It is understood Pritchard has been approached by a third group that is interested in the club this week, although they have yet to make a formal offer. Hardy said he was sure both groups would pass the EFL’s owners and directors test and neither are put off by County’s precarious hold on their status as the League’s oldest club.
“No, they’ve both said it’s a journey we’re on and both have said what they want to do is get to the Championship,” said Hardy.
“And both have got the funds to do that. One proof of funds I have seen had £900million in the bank.
“They both know they’re in the hunt and, at some point, I’ll offer exclusivity to one, but it’s not just about the money, they’ve both hit that mark.
“It’s about what they’ll do with the club, how much investment will you put in, what does the journey look like.
“The talks have been really positive and I think it could all be wrapped up within a month.”