American investment firm in ‘advanced stages’ for Atletico Madrid takeover | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid as we know it may be about to change course, with a change of ownership on the horizon. Takeover negotiations are now at an advanced stage, with Atletico set to leave Spanish ownership for the first time in the club’s history.

There has been talk about a potential sale at Atletico for a number of years, but only now does it appear that it may happen. American investment firm Apollo Global Management, who include in their portfolio the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL and Philadelphia Sixers in the NBA among their portfolio, were first reported to be interested Los Rojiblancos in July.

Negotiations with Apollo accelerating

The current ownership structure is split mostly between Atleti Holdco (70%) and Quantum Pacific (28%). Atleti Holdco in turn is divided between Ares Management (34%), President Enrique Cerezo (15%), and CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin (51%), with the latter ultimately holding the casting vote in any decisions. Expansion (via Marca) say that negotiations have accelerated towards a deal for Apollo to become the majority shareholder in Atleti Holdco.

Image via La Casa de Aquitectura

They are believed to value the club at around €2.5b, and plan to purchase shares from Ares Management, Gil Marin, Cerezo and Quantum Pacific, who would remain as majority shareholders. Saudi Arabia have also shown interest in Atletico in the past, while Apollo became interested after talks to invest in Atletico’s urban planning project for the area surrounding the Metropolitano.

Leadership would remain the same for the time being

Any transition would be eased by the leadership at the club being maintained. Cerezo (77) would remain as president, and Gil Marin (62) as CEO for the time being. There has also been talk of shares being issued, which could mean further investment for Los Rojiblancos.

In theory, the presence of a major financial power behind Atletico could close the gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona, with Los Rojiblancos already established as the third force in Spanish football. However La Liga’s salary limit rules would prevent any frivolous outlays that they cannot sustain.