Paris (AFP)
Mohamed Ajroudi, claiming to buy back Olympique de Marseille, said Thursday in a statement to continue discussions with the American owner Frank McCourt, who has nevertheless continued to assure in recent weeks that he did not wish to sell the Marseille club .
"We continue to discuss in a professional and confidential manner and without pressure from either the press or anyone else," said the investment bank Wingate, mandated by Mohamed Ajroudi to negotiate the takeover of OM.
On July 29, the Franco-Tunisian businessman announced that he would make a "final firm offer", valid according to him for the "next ten working days".
"Contrary to a publicized controversy, the temporal limitation of their offer to Mr. Frank McCourt and of the additional offer for the attention of the town hall of Marseille (for the Vélodrome stadium, Editor's note), are not an ultimatum to the club, to its shareholders or to the town hall of Marseille, "Wingate explained Thursday.
"It is simply the fact that our clients are aware of the time required for the work still to be done to prepare the club to face its next deadlines and sporting challenges," added the investment bank.
Since the end of June, the media outings of the buying clan, between Mohamed Ajroudi and Mourad Boudjellal, the former boss of RC Toulon proposed to take the presidency of the club in the event of a takeover, have multiplied.
These statements have led to several denials by OM leaders. The club announced on July 21 that it had taken the two men to court, denouncing "a massive disinformation campaign".
On July 23, OM had formally indicated to Wingate that "the club is not for sale", that the owner Franck McCourt "does not wish (to) engage in discussions", and this "formally and final ".
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