03 May 2016 14:35:13
question for you ed002 I have heard rumours that a Chinese consortium is looking to buy ac milan how likely is it to happen in your opinion?

{Ed002's Note - I have no measure of likelihood. Since China opened up it has thrown a massive potential market in to the mix for professional sports (not just football, but there are other growth sports as well) and a number of Chinese companies see the potential for significant income form the game. Chinese money is already flooding through football with ownership and/or investment in clubs as diverse as Espanyol, Den Haag, Sochaux, Atletico Madrid, Slavia Prague and significantly, City Football Group. City of course owns Manchester City, New York City, Yokohama F Marino and Melbourne City - and are looking to expand in to China and South America. For years the professional game in China was under a cloud of corruption (including match-fixing) and the Chinese, and to be fair FIFA, have worked very hard to resolve the issues. The game is on the up there and they have the money to pretty much do what they want. They now a shift will be coming in Europe and I would expect to see further investment in European sides - there is one organization looking hard at Germany and another at Italy - and I suspect next up will be investment in one of the major Italian sides, very probably one of the Milan clubs - and there have already been discussions with both. They of course have to work within certain legal ownership frameworks and that will restrict investment in certain countries. Do not be surprised to see an English side be taken over by Chinese owners in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, the profile of the game at home is increasing and the market to be tapped significant. I spent several months in Hong Kong working in both 1988 and again in 1990 and it was clear then that the mainland needed a step change and it could get leverage over so much - since then that has happened. Six months working out of Beijing in 2005 (until they pretty much forced me out) showed that changes were happening - since then I understand from colleagues who do visit that it has moved on a lot.}

1.) 03 May 2016
03 May 2016 15:16:36
thanks for such a detailed reply ed002, that more than answers my query, be interesting to see which English club that will be as well. Thanks for your time.

{Ed001's Note - I know of three Chinese investment groups looking at investing in professional European football clubs. One is currently in talks with a French second tier side, but they are also actively seeking an English side, as well as a side in Italy and Spain.}

2.) 03 May 2016
03 May 2016 15:31:18
don't tease me ed001 which English side is it?

{Ed001's Note - I honestly don't know mate, they are seeking one, they don't have one lined up.}

3.) 03 May 2016
03 May 2016 15:55:49
2 obvious ones spring to mind ed001 but I think I shall quit while i'm ahead, thanks for your time mate.

{Ed001's Note - no worries mate, I just don't like to guess.}

4.) 04 May 2016
04 May 2016 14:12:02
Leeds have been looked at in the past by Red Bull. They could be 1 of the club's. Seeing as the Italian guy might want to sell up too, probably to pay for his showbiz lifestyle.

{Ed002's Note - No, they are not looking at Leeds.}

5.) 05 May 2016
05 May 2016 11:50:10
Woah. Didn't realise they were that into it. Think this is good or bad?
I for one as a Juve fan want to see one of the Milan teams back to where they used to bem