LEEDS are to be bought in full by the San Francisco 49ers by the start of 2024 in a deal worth £475million.
The 49ers Enterprises, which is the investment arm of the NFL franchise, has an option for 100 per cent control of the club by January 2024 and the deal would include ownership of Elland Road.
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According to The Athletic, a deal that could be worth £475m will be facilitated in just over two years time.
This is after a full buy-out in excess of £400m was struck in January when the 49ers’ stake went up to 37 per cent.
The same report suggests a buy-out could come earlier than January 2024, which is the current deadline.
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani bought the Whites in 2017 for £45m but the value has taken off following their promotion to the Premier League last year.
Radrizzani sold a 10 per cent stake to 49ers Enterprises in 2018 but that has almost quadrupled to 44 per cent.
The Italian businessman claimed last month that the partnership with the 49ers could help Leeds force their way back to the top of English football.
Radrizzani said at the Web Summit event in Lisbon: “Now we are partnered with 49ers, this is fundamentally very important because it will be very difficult to stay in the Premier League, but if we stay in it this year I think we can go much more than last year and go into the top six.
“Start to renovate the stadium and continue to grow the value of this club.”
Leeds’ returned to the Premier League in 2020 after winning the Championship under experienced manager Marcelo Bielsa.
The Whites finished ninth in their first Prem season since their relegation in 2004 and are currently sitting 14th in the table.
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