US private equity consortium, fronted by former football star Gareth Bale and backed by members of the Storch family, has entered preliminary talks to acquire English League One club Plymouth Argyle.

According to The Telegraph, the group has signed confidentiality agreements and gained access to diligence materials, although discussions remain at an early stage with no formal offer on the table. The potential deal follows Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett’s search for fresh investment, which previously saw a deal in principle collapse in May.

If successful, this transaction would mark the latest move by private equity into English football, aligning Bale with other high-profile investors such as Luka Modrić at Swansea and Tom Brady at Birmingham City.

The interest in Plymouth Argyle comes shortly after the club’s relegation from the Championship and the appointment of Tom Cleverley as head coach. The 35-year-old former Watford manager has signed a three-year contract, becoming the club’s fifth permanent manager since December 2023.

Bale, who retired in 2023 after a decorated career with Real Madrid and the Welsh national team, is expected to serve as the public face of the consortium, offering both visibility and strategic alignment for the deal.

While there is no certainty that an acquisition will proceed, the involvement of an American private equity group underscores the growing appetite among financial sponsors to invest in UK football clubs, particularly at a time of financial recalibration and potential long-term growth in media and commercial revenues.

Source: The Telegraph

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