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Kieran Maguire reveals Chelsea plot as 'lucrative' Portugal deal targeted
Chelsea may use Sporting Lisbon as a ‘parking spot’ for young talent if their owners buy a majority stake in the club.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who explained to Football Insider that the Blues’ ownership are looking to form a multi-club network in order to reduce the risk of their investment.
As reported by The Telegraph, the consortium that owns Chelsea are looking to buy a stake in Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
The Blues launched their multi-club project in June when they purchased a majority stake in French side Strasbourg.
Multi-club networks are becoming more prominent in the Premier League, with Man City’s City Football Group leading the way with 13 clubs spanning four continents included in the organisation.
Maguire believes Portugal is a ‘very lucrative’ market for multi-club networks as they are the biggest export of football talent in Europe.
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“There is no doubt that Clearlake Capital do see a multi-club network as a means of reducing risk when it comes to their investment in football,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“They will also benefit from Portugal being the biggest export market when it comes to players due to its historic links with Brazil and wider regions of South America.
“Therefore, it can act as a parking spot for talent to later come to Chelsea.
“However, Sporting Lisbon are a significantly big club and I don’t know whether they would want that particular label attached to them.
“If Clearlake have the money then I’m sure they will be willing to invest in a Portuguese club.
“There is no doubt it is a very lucrative market as far as European football is concerned.“
In other news, Senior Chelsea scout spotted in Man United transfer mission