ANTHONY JOSHUA has been approached about investing in Watford, according to reports.
The Athletic have reported that the British boxer’s financial experts have been in discussions over investment in the former Premier League club.
Watford, who finished 15th in the Championship last season, are said to be looking for investors as they try and return to England’s top flight.
The Hornets have failed twice to bounce back up to the Premier League since their relegation in 2022.
And it appears that the club are hoping to find minority investors to help them kick on.
Anthony Joshua, 34, has a close connection with the town of Watford and was born in a hospital next door to Vicarage Road stadium.
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The fighter is said to have not been directly involved in any negotiations himself and rather has left the conversations to his financial advisers.
The report suggests that all talks that have taken place are “entry level” and the level of investment is undisclosed.
However, Watford are believed to value the club in its entirety at a figure in the region of £150million and £200m.
The enticing offer seems unlikely to be accepted though as a spokesperson from AJ’s camp ensured that the former heavyweight champ is fully focused on fighting for the time being.
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The spokesperson claimed that Joshua “is not involved and has no plan to be involved”, when speaking to The Athletic.
They continued: “He is fully focused on boxing and has no time at the moment to give to new opportunities outside of his sport. He is a son of Watford and wishes them all the best.”
It has also been reported that sources close to investment discussions believe the approach could be as part of a consortium.
Consortium ownerships have become popular in English football over recent years with Hollywood actor Michael B Jordan joining Bournemouth as a minority owner as part of a consortium in 2022.
NFL legend Tom Brady also joined the English game as co-owner of Birmingham City as part of a consortium takeover last year.
Watford are no stranger to celebrity owners with the club previously owned by music legend Elton John.
AJ would certainly have the funds to invest if he wanted to with the superstar reportedly worth north of £150m and pocketing £41m in 2023 alone.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
