The Yanks are coming and Premiership big guns are in their sights
Partick Thistle are a takeover target.
And at least one mover and shaker in Scottish football’s financial circles is convinced that the attempt by a US-based consortium, headed by billionaire Chien Lee, to buy the Jags represents a sea change for both Scottish football and American investors.
Lee and his partner, Paul Conway, bought Barnsley 18 months ago, and are co-chairmen of the Yorkshire club, which won promotion to the Championship last month.
They also own French outfit Nice, who finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season.
But it’s his move into Scotland which has caught the attention of one Scottish financier, who has had dealings with clubs in this country, as well as working with Major League baseball clubs and soccer clubs across the Atlantic.
He preferred to remain unnamed, but said: “I believe that this is the most significant development in Scottish football since Rangers went into liquidation in 2012. “There is a trend now.
“Ayr United, Dundee and Dundee United are already owned by Americans and, if the Thistle deal is concluded, it will mean that almost 10% of SPFL clubs will fall into that bracket.
“Lee and Conway are the real deal. They have plenty of money, but they spend it to make more.
“So they’ll see Thistle as an opportunity to grow the club and then sell it on.
“Where they lead, others will follow.
“The problem for most American companies interested in acquiring a sporting portfolio is that they’ve been outbid by Russian oligarchs, Asian tycoons and oil-rich Arab countries when it comes to buying the top brand names in England.
“However, they now see the Scottish market as offering better value for money, and just about everyone is up for grabs – including Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen.”
The Scot believes that, while none of those clubs are touting for offers, the mighty dollar could persuade them to sell up.
“They’ll be on the radar of American businessmen and, while they might not be up for sale, nobody is until an offer is made,” he said.
“If you wanted to buy Celtic, you’d talk to Dermot Desmond.
“He’s the major shareholder and, while he’s a billionaire himself, he’s been involved at Parkhead for 25 years now and he’s closing in on 70, so the timing might be right for him.
“Similarly, Ann Budge at Hearts and Tom Farmer at Hibs are both in their 70s and could be persuaded to sell up.
“Aberdeen, with a new stadium on the horizon and a big catchment area, look ripe for the picking as well, especially with so many American companies in the area.
“Rangers have obvious potential to any investor, but the biggest obstacle in their way is the stranglehold Mike Ashley has over their retail and merchandising divisions.
“They’ll be less attractive to potential buyers as long as that state of affairs exists.
“As for Thistle, I can see the sense in that deal. It gives these guys a low-cost entry into Scottish football in the sport’s biggest city, and there are also real estate opportunities in the surrounding areas.
“These people don’t throw money around for the sake of it.
“They won’t just be looking to take Thistle back into the Premiership, but into Europe.”