English Club Southampton is the latest target of Chinese investors, who lately have been on an investment spree that has given them stake in some the most valuable soccer clubs including Manchester City and AC Milan.  

According to reports, a Chinese consortium led by CITIC Securities - an investment bank - and Amer International - a mining company - has pitched $305 million offer to buy 100 percent stake in the Southampton club. This offer arrives after Southampton's Swiss owner Katharina Liebherr rejected another offer by a well known Chinese firm 'Lander Sports Development,' reportedly because the offer price was much below than Swiss owner's expectations.  

Like Us on Facebook

Interestingly, CITIC is part of a consortium that owns minority stake in English club Manchester City. But reports claim that consortium's investment in Manchester City does not exceed 10 percent, allowing the Chinese investment company to make a substantial investment in South Coast club. According to premier league's 'dual interest' rules, same company cannot own substantial stakes in two separate clubs.

Last month, Southampton's owner Mr. Katharina wrote an open letter to fans where he clearly said: "A potential partnership would need clear multiple approvals and fulfil strict criteria before being confirmed."     

Southampton currently sits on 11^th position at the English premier league table and will soon battle it out against Manchester United at league cup final. This is the closest that the South Coast club has come to collect major silverware in recent decades. The club's sizeable fan following and its consistent performance in the top flight football has made it an attractive proposition for investors.

Apart from Manchester City, Chinese firms have substantial investment in West Bromwich Albion and second-tier clubs such as Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. In another major deal, a Chinese leading consortium has almost wrapped the AC Milan deal, with just few approvals remaining now for the deal to be sanctioned.      

TagsSouthampton Club, English Premier League, china, China Football