An interesting article, and proof at last that we were the first choice for Fosun. What might have been eh? And nice to see an owner with integrity in Thompson, unlike the ‘lifelong baggies fan’…..
Not sure first choice is an accurate description.
There was an article written about the time of the acqisition which took a different view.
Allegedly Fosun were keen to extend their portfolio, & saw football as a potential market.
They weren't keen to get into club ownership, but saw opportunities in player trading.
The relationship with Mendes, was intended to be pivotal to the plan. Unfortunately the decision that player registrations could only be owned by football clubs put paid to the original plan. (Following the Tevez/Mascherano at WHU case).
As a consequence, Fosun put feelers out for a club. As the article says £200 million for a vehicle to buy & sell players is a lot less attractive than £30 million.
Just looked at WWFC accounts & over a 5 year period from 2016 to 2021 there intangible asset value increased from circa £8 million to circa £160 million.
At the same time, there's a significant debt to the owners of around £120 million.
Looks as though their starting to cash that in now.