GEORGE CLOONEY is reportedly part of a consortium ready to rescue Spanish team Malaga from their financial ruin.
Champions League quarter-finalists as recent as 2013, the Andalusians are currently stuck in the Segunda Division with club president Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani suspended.
Clooney is said to be part of a group of Hollywood investors eyeing the Spanish sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Despite facing charges of illegal appropriation and improper management, the Qatari had valued the club at £86million.
But news of a group of American investors, of which Clooney is said to be one, has raised the prospect of a sale finally going through for considerably less.
The Ocean’s Eleven star, 58, is famous for branching out into a number of other areas, even co-founding his own tequila brand that was sold in 2017 for up to £770m.
And AS detail how the Hollywood consortium eyeing the club want to make it the star of a new behind-the-scenes documentary.
Speaking about the deal, the head of Malaga’s minority shareholders group, Antonio Aguilera, confirmed talks were underway.
He told Canal Malaga: “There is a powerful production company here in Malaga, they want to turn Malaga into the ‘European Hollywood’ and they are filming series here for Amazon and are already negotiating with the club.
“However, they do not want to pay the crazy sum Al-Thani is asking for. A fortnight ago, he was asking for £86m.
“What they are prepared to offer is much more than the [£30m] amount he paid for the club and talks are ongoing.
“On Friday, they called the Americans to say they were willing to negotiate.”
Buying the club from Al-Thani will mean paying an additional £5m bond in place on the Qatari amid the accusations against him, while former coach Victor Sanchez Del Amo is taking the club to court over his sacking last month.
With Malaga sat in 14th of the Spanish second-tier, some report they could be forcibly relegated if they are unable to fulfil certain financial commitments.
Malaga were moments from a Champions League semi-final in 2013 when Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund controversially knocked them outCredit: Bongarts – Getty
George Clooney’s £12m Berkshire mansion surrounded by floods as Storm Dennis engulfs estate
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
