Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh has held initial discussions with Linfield after being approached about the possibility of investing in the Northern Irish outfit.
Financial strain at Linfield
The cash-strapped Belfast big guns are looking to find ways to raise fresh funds having been overtaken by a string of domestic rivals in recent seasons. David Healy's Blues limped to a fourth place finish in last season's Irish Premiership and suffered a costly first round Conference League exit at the hands of Estonian minnows Nomme Kalju, both of which have only increased the financial strain on the club.
Approach to Cavenagh
Senior Linfield figures have been holding talks with a number of potential partners as they seek a way out of their situation - with Gers chief Cavenagh among those approached. The American health insurance tycoon - who took over at Ibrox last year after teaming up with the San Francisco 49ers to buy the Ibrox outfit - was contacted by a third party with a proposal for him to take up a stake in Linfield.
The pitch put to the Pennsylvania-based Rangers chairman included plans to use Linfield as nursery club to boost first-team opportunities for the Ibrox academy's youngsters. While early discussions have taken place, there is no suggestion a deal is imminent.
Multi-club ownership rules
A source close to the negotiations told Record Sport: “Andrew is approached all the time about the possibility of investing in various businesses and this was no different. He was happy to have a chat but that’s as far as it’s gone so far.”
If a deal were to go through, Cavenagh would have to make clear how he plans to avoid breaching UEFA's strict rules governing multi-club ownership. Earlier this year, Paraag Marathe - a senior 49ers exec and key member of the consortium that purchased a majority stake in Rangers last summer - was forced to step down from the Ibrox board due to his role as chairman of Premier League side Leeds United in order to ward off the threat of a UEFA investigation.
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern told Record Sport: "Linfield FC has been involved in confidential discussions with a number of interested parties about potential investment in the club. We will not be making any public comment until we have discussed with our Board and our Club Members."
