Real Madrid veteran launches bid to acquire Italian club – report

Real Madrid veteran launches bid to acquire Italian club – report Players acquiring a stake in various clubs appears to have become the latest trend with prominent stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo making some big moves in recent years. Now, it looks like Real Madrid superstar Thibaut Courtois, who is soon expected to sign a new contract , is ready to join the bandwagon, having reportedly tabled a bid to acquire a lower tier Italian club. Courtois launches bid to acquire Reggiana Courtois already has investments in clubs through his company. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) According to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t OK Diario ), Courtois is attempting to acquire a stake in AC Reggiana 1919, a club based in Reggio Emilia that currently compete in Serie C, the third tier in Italian football. The report suggests Courtois has tabled a bid to fully acquire Reggiana, submitting an offer through his company Nxtplay Capital, alongside his partner Gonzalo Vila. The bid, if accepted, will see Courtois acquire 100% of the club. The bid comes after several months of groundwork, with Courtois’ company having conducted detailed analysis of the team, the city city, and the surrounding area. This entire process has included meetings with local businesses, several visits to Reggiana, and regular contact with the club’s existing partners. Both the region and the club itself have been identified as having scope for growth. A nod to Ancelotti’s roots Reggiana is synonymous with Ancelotti’s roots. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) There is a notable connection that makes the move all the more intriguing, as Courtois acquiring Reggiana will connect him to his former manager Carlo Ancelotti. Indeed, Reggiana was the very first club Ancelotti coached, some 30 years ago in the 1995/96 season. The former Real Madrid boss and current Brazil coach was also born in Reggiolo, a town located close to Reggio Emilia within the same province. The venture would add to Courtois’ growing portfolio, which already has Spanish side Extremadura as well as a stake in France’s Le Mans. Unlike those cases, however, Courtois is seeking full ownership of Reggiana. For now, though, only a single offer has been tabled, meaning any deal remains some way from completion.