Laurence Bassini claims he's agreed terms with Udinese owners in Watford takeover
1:08pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in Latest Football News
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Watford owner Laurence Bassini claims all the terms for the club's pending takeover have been agreed and now he is just waiting for proof of funds.
Bassini is set to leave the Hornets after 14 months in charge with the Pozzo family, who own Italian side Udinese and Spanish club Granada, taking over.
It was announced Watford's board of directors (David Fransen and Stuart Timperley) had agreed "in principle for the transfer of ownership" to the Pozzo family.
Now this afternoon Bassini told the Watford Observer: "We have agreed terms and now I am waiting for proof of funds to make sure the money is there and that they can take the club forward.
"It is a significant sum I will receive but I want to know the club is in safe hands because a lot of good work has been done there."
Bassini refused to comment any further on the negotiations at this time.
On Sunday, the Stanmore businessman rejected claims he was being forced out by the club's bondholders and insisted he is selling the Hornets because he wants to leave.
However, sources have told the Watford Observer the Pozzos were unlikely to pay the £12m Bassini claimed he wanted for the club, when he spoke to us on Sunday.
We also understand there will be a group of investors alongside the Pozzos in the family's takeover of Watford - which was the case at Spanish side Granada.
Comments(60)
StephenKilamanjiro
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1:14pm Thu 21 Jun 12
llloydwithathirdl
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1:15pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Let's just hope this goes through.
Toshhorn
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1:17pm Thu 21 Jun 12
laddie hornets
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1:21pm Thu 21 Jun 12
AngelHornet
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1:22pm Thu 21 Jun 12
KL Massive
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1:28pm Thu 21 Jun 12
I have heard lots of stuff about Bas and very little is good. I really hope that he doesnt get too greedy and scare the investors away
Oh - por favore, please keep Dyche!
McHornet
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1:33pm Thu 21 Jun 12
I think Bassini has done ok with us, but i think the best thing for the clubs finances, supporters, players, staff and everyone sanity, it's time he went.
Hope it all goes through shortly and we can look forward to a positive season! Hopefully with Sean Dyche!
Harrydownunder
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1:42pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Andrew1963
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1:44pm Thu 21 Jun 12
a1derek
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1:44pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Napalm Pudding
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1:51pm Thu 21 Jun 12
tonupchris
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1:52pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Exciting times ahead.
Good luck Bas, it's been interesting!!!
COYGB
Casterbridge
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2:02pm Thu 21 Jun 12
All that he is now reporting is the standard business practice of due diligence - Do the Pozzos have the means? Is the club Bassini's to sell? - so let's not get excited.
Wait for the deal to close, then get behind the club and the new owners and pledge them our full support.
Onwards and upwards! COYH!
mickallen57
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2:04pm Thu 21 Jun 12
With that said and all things going well (on the proof of funds bit) I am looking forward to new season with our Italian owners and bid farewell to L.B.
P.s Do you think they will change thier minds when we beat Italy on Sunday.
COYL and COYH
D.unstable
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2:08pm Thu 21 Jun 12
SAHornet
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2:12pm Thu 21 Jun 12
D.unstable
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2:15pm Thu 21 Jun 12
SAHornet wrote:Like
Proof of funds isn't at all unusual in these matters so no point in berating him for this. I've been one of his biggest detractors on this site from day one and now, in the hope that this deal finalises in the very near future, I am prepared to eat a bit of humble pie. Bas has definitely made progress with WFC - more than I expected. I was on record as saying that "this time next year, we'd be stripped of everything and finished. Well I was wrong and I admit it. However, Bas did and still does make me feel like looking over my shoulder every 2 minutes. That's how shady I think he was and is. I'll be glad to be rid of him now and get in owners who are true businessmen and football peeps to boot. Rant over. COYH's
Goldenboy1960
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2:16pm Thu 21 Jun 12
KL Massive wrote:I think you are in dreamland if you think they will keep Sean Dyche and all the coaching staff.
not sure Bas 'found' the buyers? My guess is the interested party found watford as matching their business model etc... I have heard lots of stuff about Bas and very little is good. I really hope that he doesnt get too greedy and scare the investors away Oh - por favore, please keep Dyche!
KL Massive
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2:25pm Thu 21 Jun 12
I welcome new investment and the Italian's ideas but want also the club to still be the Watford FC I love.
Time will tell if we can keep our traditions and values whilst making progress on the field.
I am already in Dreamland knowing that Bas is on his way out - the facts behind his tenure will come out one day and we will all think we dodged a bullet!
tonupchris
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2:25pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Goldenboy1960 wrote:Agreed. Sorry Sean but I have a feeling Zola will be the manager. If that happens I will feel for SD but he did very well last year so I'm sure he won't be out of work for long. I imagine there are a few players who worried about their future as well especially if we bring in players from Udinese. Could this be the end for Lloyd?
KL Massive wrote:I think you are in dreamland if you think they will keep Sean Dyche and all the coaching staff.
not sure Bas 'found' the buyers? My guess is the interested party found watford as matching their business model etc... I have heard lots of stuff about Bas and very little is good. I really hope that he doesnt get too greedy and scare the investors away Oh - por favore, please keep Dyche!
Dunderdale Pinner
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2:28pm Thu 21 Jun 12
PeteBogHorrorHornet
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2:37pm Thu 21 Jun 12
akureyri
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2:43pm Thu 21 Jun 12
A good financial future in an international footballing empire is better compensation for us than the few pounds Cardiff City gave for Malky Mackay.
watford1881
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2:47pm Thu 21 Jun 12
aussihornet
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3:05pm Thu 21 Jun 12
miked2006
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3:06pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Dunderdale Pinner wrote:I'm guessing they will probably keep SD until Christmas then fire him if we aren't near the top of the table (which we probably will not be).
Could be that they appoint a Director of Football and stay with SD as Manager. Iwould like it that way. SD can then get on with what he does best. ie train, manage and motivate the players.
rousman 2
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3:11pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Casterbridge
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3:24pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Dunderdale Pinner wrote:As I said in a previous post, evolution is generally a better strategy than revolution.
Could be that they appoint a Director of Football and stay with SD as Manager. Iwould like it that way. SD can then get on with what he does best. ie train, manage and motivate the players.
peter10531089
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4:04pm Thu 21 Jun 12
I have always liked Zola as a player and a person however Sean Dyche is right - loyalty works both ways and I do hope that the Pozzo family give him a chance to show what he can do.
I warmly welcome them (or I will when complete) but advise them to retain Sean Dyche he has fostered the best community spirit at the club for many years - it would be a shame to lose that.
For those people saying Bas has delivered everything he promised, fair play but if Sean hadnt pulled the team round with little or no budget and having had the guts ripped out of it then all we wuld have had is a pub used twice a fortnight and a pitch that I doubt Basini has yet paid for (in full). He did seemingly keep the club going but thinking of the guy makes me want to have a shower (and not in a good way!), he has always been veiled in secrecy in terms of where his money did or did not come from, his spat with GT was comical, he then announces the new stand will be built and named after GT when he knows he's selling the club! I think the shower is calling again......
Coach1
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4:05pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Russo's??
peter10531089
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4:08pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Coach1 wrote:I hope so - a local and substantial representation would be good but no essential
'We also understand there will be a group of investors alongside the Pozzos in the family's takeover of Watford - which was the case at Spanish side Granada' Russo's??
buckler
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4:22pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Mick Jones
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4:32pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny
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4:36pm Thu 21 Jun 12
The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
buckler
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4:43pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Very true but most on here cant see it! Will walk away very rich and probably the only time he has made a profit on anything! If these boys hadn't turned up from nowhere i bet we would have gone bust with the clown in charge!
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
the sniper
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5:50pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Back from Hammerau
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6:14pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things.
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
buckler
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6:28pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Back from Hammerau wrote:Which was got from transfer fees etc! Conman
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things.
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
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6:45pm Thu 21 Jun 12
buckler wrote:.....which is exactly what almost all non-bankrolled clubs do. Are they all owned by conmen ??
Back from Hammerau wrote:Which was got from transfer fees etc! Conman
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things.
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny
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6:49pm Thu 21 Jun 12
buckler wrote:Exactly! Funny how we signed players after the sale of graham, buckley and the young money, then the red lion was done after the sale of Sords... Coincidence?? The losses have been lowered with a better wage structure and the deposit he put down on the pitch I bet was minimal, doubt he will pay for the whole lot now!!
Back from Hammerau wrote:Which was got from transfer fees etc! Conman
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things.
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
I can see Zola in a director or football role, doubt he would sack Dyche straight away
SMP
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7:29pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Dunderdale Pinner wrote:Having read the piece re the Pozzos and takeover of Granada, this would certainly appear to be the perfect solution with our current situation. Zola has a knowledge of the English game and can liaise between the Italians, leaving the day to day running of the team to Sean Dyche .. as stated previoulsy, he had a considerable number of critics and doubters last season and proved his worth by returning our best league position for a number of years. He deserves the opportunity to prove that he wasn't a five minute wonder .. which I'm sure he isn't! However, I do agree that the pressure will be on for him to produce results immediately and patience could be in short supply.
Could be that they appoint a Director of Football and stay with SD as Manager. Iwould like it that way. SD can then get on with what he does best. ie train, manage and motivate the players.
buckler
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7:34pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:Difference is that slime ball non Watford fan will walk away from our club a rich man for nothing! Surely you or anyone else cant be pleased with that? Orrible little man.
buckler wrote:.....which is exactly what almost all non-bankrolled clubs do. Are they all owned by conmen ??
Back from Hammerau wrote:Which was got from transfer fees etc! Conman
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things.
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
doublehornet
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7:44pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Not happy
D.unstable
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8:39pm Thu 21 Jun 12
doublehornet wrote:Shouldn't have, I gave them £53 quid this morning for Spurs and Wycombe tickets, your not telling me Baz took the money straight out of the safe are you?
Shame the cheque they sent me for a refund (£23) bounced today then. Not happy
D.unstable
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10:22pm Thu 21 Jun 12
COYH
Anyone notice how fit Gabby Logan looked tonight.
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
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8:03am Fri 22 Jun 12
buckler wrote:Not his fault if he could buy the club for peanuts and then sell for £ms ? Point is he hasn't asset stripped during his tenure, which was the real risk.
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:Difference is that slime ball non Watford fan will walk away from our club a rich man for nothing! Surely you or anyone else cant be pleased with that? Orrible little man.
buckler wrote:.....which is exactly what almost all non-bankrolled clubs do. Are they all owned by conmen ??
Back from Hammerau wrote:Which was got from transfer fees etc! Conman
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things.
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
Bringe
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8:38am Fri 22 Jun 12
Now the t's have been crossed and the i's dotted they want full control.
corbindallas
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8:47am Fri 22 Jun 12
buckler wrote:And the problem with that is he did it and you didn't and now you don't like it! Still the deal is not done yet!
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:Difference is that slime ball non Watford fan will walk away from our club a rich man for nothing! Surely you or anyone else cant be pleased with that? Orrible little man.
buckler wrote:.....which is exactly what almost all non-bankrolled clubs do. Are they all owned by conmen ??
Back from Hammerau wrote:Which was got from transfer fees etc! Conman
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things.
Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.
It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
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9:14am Fri 22 Jun 12
Bringe wrote:so why didn't they buy in the first place ? Beacuse lord A would sell to Bas but not the Pozzos ? Don't be daft....
Open your eyes .... Baz is nothing but a Pozzo puppet, they have been there from day 1.
Now the t's have been crossed and the i's dotted they want full control.
Bringe
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9:15am Fri 22 Jun 12
Bringe
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9:21am Fri 22 Jun 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:because it would have cost them more than double.
Bringe wrote:so why didn't they buy in the first place ? Beacuse lord A would sell to Bas but not the Pozzos ? Don't be daft....
Open your eyes .... Baz is nothing but a Pozzo puppet, they have been there from day 1.
Now the t's have been crossed and the i's dotted they want full control.
Hardly daft really
garston tony
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9:50am Fri 22 Jun 12
corbindallas wrote:What I am pleased about is despite the doom and gloomers predictions we had a decent season, there is work on the pitch and on the ground and it looks like the club will be getting new unexpected owners who can help take it up a level.
buckler wrote:And the problem with that is he did it and you didn't and now you don't like it! Still the deal is not done yet!Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:Difference is that slime ball non Watford fan will walk away from our club a rich man for nothing! Surely you or anyone else cant be pleased with that? Orrible little man.buckler wrote:.....which is exactly what almost all non-bankrolled clubs do. Are they all owned by conmen ??Back from Hammerau wrote:Which was got from transfer fees etc! ConmanRonny oh Ronny Ronny wrote: Most people on here could have remortgaged their homes and purchased watford when Baz did and done just as much with the club's money. The man is a joke, fair play he has been here 14 months and will make a bit out of us when most in football dont, let's just get him out now and look forward to the future.Given that the club trades at a loss, it doesn't have any money with which to do things. It needs regular cash top-ups to keep it solvent.
LB may have been naive especially in terms of fan relations but he's had people on his back since day one.
What his detractors fail to appreciate is that if Lord A was still in charge there would probably not have been the same investment in the team last year and there would have been no work on the ground or pitch going on this summer and players would still have been sold to keep the club going. The club may also not have held out for more money for AM and he could well have been sold too at a knock down price.
Even if the Russo's were still in charge this last season would not have been vastly different at the club.
As much as they dont like him all LB has done is continued on the path the Russo's set the club on of managing expenses and selling players to cover the shortfall. A path which even Lord A (who lets face it wasnt their best friend) wasnt deviating from and a path which in the light of the new financial regulations puts Watford in a much better position than many of the other 'bigger' clubs in the Championship.
The anti LB brigade who have been on his back from the start have not judged him on what he has actually done at the club and that is not fair. Their dislike of him seems to stem from the fact he wasnt immensly loaded, well Lord A was and he didnt want to spend a penny on the club and only his pride kept him from liquidating it.
garston tony
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9:56am Fri 22 Jun 12
Bringe wrote:Double £440k, still sounds a bargain!
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:because it would have cost them more than double. Hardly daft reallyBringe wrote: Open your eyes .... Baz is nothing but a Pozzo puppet, they have been there from day 1. Now the t's have been crossed and the i's dotted they want full control.so why didn't they buy in the first place ? Beacuse lord A would sell to Bas but not the Pozzos ? Don't be daft....
Bringe
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10:00am Fri 22 Jun 12
that £440k also bought an awful lot of debt.
garston tony
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10:03am Fri 22 Jun 12
So the Pozzo's may follow that route again, keeping SD and giving him a chance. Problem for SD is that they also appear to want immediate improvements/success so he'll be under great pressure. Plus side is if they again repeat what they did at Granada which is loan a large number of players there may be players of a higher quality available to SD (no offense to the current squad) down side is that rules here mean you cant loan as many players as in Spain and an influx of new players can take time to gel so results initially may not be as demanded.
buckler
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4:09pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Bringe wrote:I'm really scared and prey the keyboard cops don't knock my door down! Do one Bas bandit.
Buckler ... he'll get paid for the job he's done and your constant slander could get you in big trouble in light of the new internet laws. If he can sue Sky then he can sue you and quite frankly I wouldn't blame him.
watfordman
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2:30am Sat 23 Jun 12
watfordman
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2:30am Sat 23 Jun 12
watfordman
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2:30am Sat 23 Jun 12
JB11 says...
1:12pm Thu 21 Jun 12