Michael Dell and his MSD UK Holdings group invest in Southampton - a year after their Sunderland takeover talks began

Michael Dell’s investment arm MSD UK Holdings have finalised an investment agreement with Southampton FC – a year after similar individuals engaged in talks over purchasing Sunderland AFC.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

MSD UK Holdings are a newly-established investment group set-up to manage the wealth of billionaire technology tycoon Michael Dell, who last year was mentioned as a potential ‘passive, minority investor’ in a deal to buy Sunderland.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And after rumours earlier this year that MSD were interested in striking an investment deal with Derby County, they have now finalised an agreement with Premier League side Southampton.

Michael Dell's MSD Capital group have invested in SouthamptonMichael Dell's MSD Capital group have invested in Southampton
Michael Dell's MSD Capital group have invested in Southampton

Documents lodged at Companies House show that a charge was registered by MSD UK Holdings against the Saints on June 29 – following similar terms to the agreement that was struck between FPP and Madrox.

Indeed, the signatory on behalf of MSD UK Holdings is a Marcello Liguori – the same individual who signed the deal between Madrox and FPP.

Interestingly, MSD UK Holdings were only established as a company on June 29 and share one common director with FPP Sunderland – Robert Platek.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While the specifics of the deal with Southampton, including the amount invested by the group, remains unclear, the charge is registered against the club itself, their home ground and training ground and a number of items of intellectual property.

The investment deal does not seem to break any EFL or Premier League rules regarding a conflict of interest given that no individuals or groups hold shares in both clubs – and since the respective investment deals came from separate entities.

But the news will come as a further blow to Sunderland supporters who had hoped that FPP Sunderland would purchase the club in the near future – a prospect owner Donald described as ‘unlikely’ in January.

“Their view is that they’re 3000 miles away and they invest in management teams, so their investment was in me,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“So if I’m not there it’s unlikely, I think, that they’ll want to take it on.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.

Thank you

Related topics: