It cannot be ruled out that Vitesse will fall into foreign hands again. That’s what it writes Algemeen Dagblad Tuesday evening at least. The Arnhem team currently has a debt of 18.9 million euros and another ten million euros are needed for the next two years. If they are told next week that they will receive a license for next season, but local or other Dutch investors do not come knocking, it is therefore not impossible that the club will be driven into foreign hands.
These are very exciting times for Vitesse. The Arnhem team recently received a significant points penalty, which made relegation to the Kitchen Champion Division a fact. There was clarity about the future within the lines, but outside of that the question is still what will happen to the club. The licensing committee will meet next week to discuss Vitesse. If the committee then comes to the conclusion that the club is healthy enough to play ‘normal’ professional football next season, investors will still have to be sought because of the required ten million euros for the next two years.
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“In the deepest crisis, everyone states that Vitesse must go back to basics. That there should be a provincial club in Arnhem”, writes the AD, which talks about ‘Plan Arnhem’. Local investors should save Vitesse, but the question is whether they will come at all. “There is no sign that local businesses are making such funds available. Or a major lender from the Netherlands”, that’s what it sounds like. As a result, it cannot be ruled out that a foreign investor will come knocking on Arnhem’s door again. “Of course we hope that Plan Arnhem will be a success. But we also look further than just Arnhem. Or the Netherlands”, says interim director Edwin Reijntjes. The club is already in discussions and is being approached by ‘intermediaries who come with interested parties’.
Sources from the newspaper state that developments in the GelreDome are being followed ‘closely’ in the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia is mainly mentioned. If the shares are transferred to the Vitesse Voor Altijd foundation, Van der Kraan (advisor, ed.) and Reijntjes will have a strong negotiating position. The club is worth millions to foreign investors. This is how football works worldwide”, so it reads. Vitesse must first ensure that the Russian shares go to the Vitesse Forever foundation. Paul van der Kraan and Reijntjes can sell those shares in packages of 24.9 percent. In that case, the required millions ‘come in in pieces’ and Vitesse bypasses the KNVB licensing committee.
Parry
The American Coley Parry would also like to have a ‘role’ in the game surrounding a possible takeover of Vitesse. Parry tried to take over the club, but his takeover did not receive the green light from the KNVB and it is now expected that it will not happen at all. “The American agrees to the share transfer from the Russians to Vitesse Forever. On the condition that he retains influence. He wants control over new investors. That is his financial interest. Vitesse needs tens of millions for the future, the businessman wants his invested millions back. And preferably with a profit. The Middle East offers those opportunities,” he said.
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