Rumour - AS Monaco to invest in Reading?

[RustyRoyal]

Apparently their owner wants to buy 20% and make us affiliates. Quick google search says L'equipe are quite reliable but this does seem a bit strange.

English - http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topi ... -in-france
French - http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualit ... ing/638425

[sandman]

Aka they want to send their young players to us on loan and take any decent young players we produce.

[Sutekh]

Interesting, presumably their Russian owner (Dmitry Rybolovlev) is in a slightly different class to our previous attempt in that area.

Would be useful experience for our talented younger players and they would gain immensely, as I would imagine Monaco's youngsters would - and I would think they too would have some useful players to take on

The club could then call on James Lambert as a liaison officer.

As long as it's financially sound and helps us get to the PL, go for it.

Anyone any more on this, whether it's likely to happen or is just talk.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Hope this doesn't affect our partnership with Galatasaray.

[windermere_royal]

According to French newspaper L'Equipe, Russian billionaire and majority stake holder at AS Monaco, Dmitry Rybolovlev, is looking to invest in Reading.

Rybolovlev is looking to buy 20% stakes at the Championship club, which would also enable a partnership between AS Monaco and Reading.

L'Equipe say AS Monaco would particularly benefit by sending players on loan to Reading. The Ligue 1 club already have partnership agreements with clubs in the Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium, which includes Braga, Varzim, Waregem, Rio Ave and Standard Liege.

They see Reading as a possible entry in the English football scene. Thai businessmen Narin Niruttinanon is currently the majority stake holder at Reading, with 50%. Niruttinanon saved the club from debts when he invested £26m in 2014.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

It may also threaten the sanctity of our high profile link up with Borehamwood.

[Jagermesiter1871]

Hope this doesn't affect our partnership with Aldershot town.

[harry]

Could probably spare a fiver or two
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitry_Rybolovlev

[bluerinse]

at least this Russian has his own money, and is not dependent on pocket money from his dad.

[Colin Cheeselog]

Hope this doesn't affect our partnership with Tottenham.

[Super Kevin Bremner!]

I heard it was Reading Town FC

[Scutterbucketz]

Sounds like it could be a positive step, but slightly worried that a consortium that's barely been involved for a year are looking for further investors. Or that one of them wants out already.

I imagine the Russian will want to alter the stadium development plans too.

[Royal_jimmy]

Can't see any harm in this. Good news for the club if true. Means if we get back to the premier league we might actually spend 5m on a player

[The Royal Forester]

This deal, if it happens, feels me with dread. One Russian owner has been one too many. We would be "asked" to take their not so good youngsters on loan while they take our best prospects. Loan players do not have the same commitment to the club as permanent signings do.
Is he another one trying to get his hands stuck into Royal Elm Park? Are the Thais getting cold feet already, just because the Premier League is not going to happen next season?

[Nameless]

You could also be impressed that having taken a good look at the club and English football the consortium have taken a realistic view of what it takes to build a successful club and found a seriously wealthy, well connected football man to join in and help take the club forward.
On the scant info we have I have no idea what the right view is !
Would he want to change the REP plans ? The Thai's are property people, not sure at this point they would be looking for someone to alter their big scheme.

[howser]

I have never been convinced with the Thai development plans, upto 20,000 fans arriving for games in what will be a huge building site, police are gonna love that ! and a multi storey car park for match parking ? you got to be joking.... this Russian guy does look like he actually does back the footballing side of the clubs he is involved in, with the wealth to back it up.

[From Despair To Where?]

On face value, this bloke seems to be the sort of Russian you would want investing in your team, own money, seem legit and reasonably
above board and has a history of investment in football. We could become the new Watford who seem to be doing all right with their links to Udinese.

On the other hand, this alleged arrangement would seem to be heavily weighted in Monaco's favour. If he wants to invest and bring fresh ideas to the table then bring it on, however, it doesn't sound like a genuine investment in us, more an expansion of Monaco's influence. I don't particularly relish the possibility of becoming a feeder team to rich man's plaything in a rich man's playground, a club with an average attendance on par with Swindon Town. I also don't fancy becoming the new Charlton with a barmpot investor fcuking everything up and us becoming the dumping ground for shit players that Monaco don't want.

[Nameless]

Frustratingly it's unlikely that there is much we can do about it either way....
It's a vague rumour for now but it would be good to get an official view and a clear explanation of any link up. Not holding my breath on that.

[NewCorkSeth]

Fool us once shame on you, fool us twice... forgotten the next bit...

[Jagermesiter1871]

Fool us once shame on you, fool us twice... forgotten the next bit...

Don't you mean fool me once, shame on ... shame on you. Fool me... You can't get fooled again!