US consortium makes €2 billion offer to buy Napoli
An investment group led by Underdog Global Partners has targeted Napoli for a takeover, though the club's ownership currently maintains it is not for sale.
Photo: the.athletic
A US-led consortium has submitted a bid in the region of €2 billion to acquire Napoli from the De Laurentiis family. The negotiations are being spearheaded by Underdog Global Partners (UGP), a group aiming to build upon the club's modern legacy.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has owned the club since 2004, having rescued the team from bankruptcy while it was in the third tier. His tenure has been marked by significant success, including the club's return to the top flight and their historic league title win in 2023. Despite this, the club has made it clear that Napoli is not for sale.
This stance has not deterred UGP, which has been engaged in takeover talks for the past six months. The consortium has existing ties to Italian sport, holding a majority stake in third-tier side Campobasso and controlling shares in Napoli Basketball. Their proposal includes a vision for a multi-sport operation and a commitment to privatize and redevelop the Stadio Diego Maradona.
While discussions have stalled over specific concerns raised by De Laurentiis, the investment group is looking to resolve these issues and move forward with their acquisition plans.