Former bankrupt Watford owner Laurence Bassini wants a takeover at Charlton Athletic or to resurrect a deal with Bolton Wanderers.
The controversial figure has told Sky Sports News he will make a decision over the next few days whether he will go in for a bid to buy Charlton Athletic or Bolton.
Laurence Bassini says he is deciding whether he intends to press ahead with a bid to buy Charlton Athletic.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 23, 2020
Charlton released a club statement on Friday evening saying that a process to change the owner was underway.
It read: “A legal process has to take place for the change of ownership of ESI (East Street Investments) to be completed.
“This is a positive step for the club and will offer some much-needed stability. For legal reasons, we cannot go into any more details on the change of ownership.
“We appreciate that supporters will have plenty of questions and, unfortunately, we cannot answer them at this stage.”
The Addicks have chose not to reveal the identity of the potential new owner, but a deal has been agreed by Tahnoon Nimer to sell his shares in East Street Investments (ESI).
A provisional agreement for Bassini to buy the Championship club had been discussed at a board meeting which took place last week.
However, former chairman Matt Southall has 35 per cent of shares in the club and has rejected the notice of sale, having not been told who the buyer is.
In March 2020, Charlton Athletic‘s future was left in chaos as the boardroom clashed, and left fans worried about potential administration.
Southall ended up getting removed from the board, and had now threatened to apply for an injunction to block the sale unless he is told who is interested.
Bassini’s interest in Charlton also depends on whether he wants to continue his legal battle to takeover League One Bolton Wanderers, however he can’t managed both at the same time according to the EFL rules.
In March 2020, Laurence Bassini reportedly had talks to buy Oldham Athletic, but this was quickly labelled as “false”.
Bassini has been described by supporters to “not be trustworthy person. Been bankrupt twice, asset striped Watford FC, made to repay £4.3 million, tried to buy Bolton but repeated failure to provide proof of funds to the EFL and is a colleague of Matthew Southall.”
Fans reacted after reading that the former bankrupt Watford owner wants to takeover at Charlton or Bolton…
Bassini’s going to own the club… Loooool. Nah fuck right off man.?? #cafc
— Ben (@BWH93_) May 23, 2020
So it is #bassini but #MS wants a Injunction to prevent any sale.
You couldn’t make this stuff up you really couldn’t….. god help us #cafc
— Paul bishop (@thebish30) May 23, 2020
“Mr Bassini leave this great club Alone” https://t.co/UQ2e1s64f1 #bwfc
— Bolton Wanderers and Proud (@ProudBW) May 23, 2020
From Duchatalet to the current lot to possibly Bassini
I seriously feel for Charlton fans
Who is next? Oyston? Becchetti? ??@CharltonLife @CharltonCARD @CAStrust @ParodyCharlton
— Pandamonium Fanzine (@Pandamonium1881) May 23, 2020
The mans a criminal, how’s he even allowed near a club after trying to squeeze money out of us and Bolton in our darkest hour
— Aaron ? (@azatampswfc) May 23, 2020
How is he still being allowed to do this the cretin
— Chris Maynard (@cmhornet) May 23, 2020
— Oz ??⚪️ (@pauloz1806) May 23, 2020
That’s the last thing Charlton fans need. Bloke is a total crook. Nearly ruined Watford
— Steven Horwood (@stevenhorwood1) May 23, 2020
Someone who has been bankrupt several times, and been banned from holding a position of authority in a football club previously – if the EFL pass this as part of their fit and proper then it just shows that process is a complete failure
— Jon (@85JJB) May 23, 2020
Not this clown again!
— k9myp (@k9myp) May 23, 2020
Christ, that’s the last thing they need.
— willow ? (@Willowwoobaa) May 23, 2020
Oh great, another bald fraud. If the @EFL allow this I’m done with football #cafc
— Rhys {…} Farrugia (@rhys_cafc90) May 23, 2020
No thanks. JOG on..
— Tim Ruffle (@TimRuffle) May 23, 2020
— Jack Bennett (@jbennett1997) May 23, 2020
@BenH9705 Really really hope for your guys’ sake that this isn’t true mate
— Ash (@WatfordAsh) May 23, 2020
We don’t want him another crook in football should never be allowed to be involved with anything involving sports.. we at Charlton athletic don’t want you and would rather go into administration than you take away our famous club
— Ben Haldane (@bendooney35) May 23, 2020
Joker hasn’t got a pot to piss in !
— Chap (@Mc_Chap) May 23, 2020
This chancer should be permanently banned from football
— martinw-bwfc (@martjw77) May 23, 2020
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