Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Pere Guardiola, Luis Suarez agent and Pep brother, leads Girona takeover

Pep Guardiola's brother Pere is leading a consortium close to taking control of Segunda Division side Girona, the Catalan club's president has revealed.

Guardiola, a well-known agent whose clients include Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, is heading a group of local businessmen looking to buy out the financially troubled club -- currently level on points with leaders Las Palmas at the top the second tier of Spanish football -- for a sum of around 2.3 million euros.

Current Girona club president Francesc Rebled says this group of investors are in prime position to take over, telling Mundo Deportivo that he could see a deal being close to completion.

"The sale is on the right path," Rebled said. "The talks are very mature and this will be a key week. They are people who know the city and the special way the club works. I believe it is a good option. They are ambitious, although they will focus on the youth-system and not play with big budgets."

Girona were promoted to the second tier in 2009, and have never played in the Primera Division. Despite having a relatively low budget compared to bigger clubs such as Real Betis or Sporting Gijon, they are currently one of three teams tied at the top of a very tight Segunda table at the moment.

Investments made in recent years aimed at achieving promotion to the top flight brought financial difficulties which saw the club enter administration under Spain's Ley Concursal in 2013. Mundo Deportivo say the club needs an immediate investment of 380,000 euros to meet its tax responsibilities.

The Catalan paper say that Guardiola currently represents at least three of the Girona playing squad, as well as sporting director Quique Carcel.

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