China’s second-richest man Wang Jianlin has been linked with a move to buy Valencia after his company sealed a youth development deal with the Primera Division club.
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Soldier-turned-businessman Wang was in Spain recently visiting Valencia, as well as Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, as his company Dalian Wanda Group continues to invest in a programme to bring young Chinese players to train and play at La Liga clubs.
Sport now claims that the billionaire has moved ahead in the race to buy the heavily indebted Mestalla club -- and is the preferred buyer of club president Amadeo Salvo.
Salvo told Superdeporte when the youth deal was announced last week that he welcomed the interest in his club from Wang and Wanda.
“This was an important visit from one of the most influential and powerful people in China,” Salvo said. “If [Wang] has chosen us for the development of young Chinese players, that is an important statement for Valencia. It shows the good relationship we have with the Wanda Group. Valencia can grow with Wanda.”
Valencia’s sale is currently being handled by an unwieldy alliance of the club, its foundation, its lenders Bankia and consultants KPMG. Sport’s report says that bids backed by US venture capitalists TPG, Qatari investment fund QIA, Russian businessman Mijail Boskov and Austrian multinational Red Bull are all being considered, although Singapore business Peter Lim has apparently faded from the picture. The Catalan daily says a decision is expected “within weeks.”
The deal agreed will see 20 Chinese youngsters attend Valencia’s Paterna youth setup, playing in various ‘Academia GloVal’ youth sides.
“It is an agreement to help train young Chinese footballers,” Salvo said. “Football in China is improving and they want to invest in this. This is good for Valencia, for Wanda and for Chinese football. It also shows the good work being done here at Paterna, and the future of our academy.”
Valencia’s links with China also include a shirt sponsorship arrangement with renewable energy firm JinkoSolar.