- France’s Valenciennes and Turkey’s Göztepe both play in second tier
- Sport Republic has reportedly negotiated initial 70% stake in Göztepe
- Dragan Šolak-backed firm also eyeing clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal
Investment firm Sport Republic, the owner of English top-flight soccer outfit Southampton, is in talks to buy French club Valenciennes and Turkish side Göztepe, according to The Athletic.
Sport Republic, which is backed by Serbian billionaire Dragan Šolak, has been planning to create a multi-club group since it acquired an 80 per cent stake in the Saints for a reported UK£100 million (US$121 million) in January.
The firm, which was founded by Rasmus Ankersen, Brentford’s former co-director of soccer, and investor Henrik Kraft, has reportedly negotiated an initial 70 per cent stake in Göztepe, which were relegated to the Turkish second division this season. The Athletic adds that nothing has been agreed at this stage and any potential deal could still break down.
Discussions with Göztepe are said to be slightly further along than negotiations with second-tier side Valenciennes.
Sport Republic is also reportedly eyeing clubs in other leagues, including those with the potential to play in the top tiers in Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The firm’s multi-team plan would see it mirror the approach of Manchester City owner City Football Group (CFG) and the Red Bull stable of clubs.
Beyond growing its club roster, Sport Republic is also reportedly looking at investing in other businesses in the sports and entertainment sectors. Southampton remain the firm’s most high-profile deal to date, but it has also bought Danish-based, grassroots player-development platform Tonsser.
