Dangote Pulls Out of French Club Purchase 

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s quest to own the French club, Valeciennes has fall through own to circumstances that the business magnate will not want to agree to. 

Dangote, a renowned serial entrepreneur and now the second wealthiest individual on the continent in Africa, has chosen to withdraw his interest in acquiring the club. 

According to reports on soccernet.ng, it indicated that Dangote had displayed a strong desire to become the owner of the club some months ago but latest reports from Jeune Afrique indicate that the Nigerian tycoon has ultimately abandoned his ambitious project. 

This decision has opened the door for Danish company, Sport Republic, which now finds itself in pole position to secure the purchase. 

Confirming the shift in the landscape, Valenciennes’ management revealed yesterday that they are currently engaged in exclusive negotiations with Sport Republic. 

The Danish sports investment firm, based in London, holds majority stakes in two other clubs—English side FC Southampton (80%) and Turkish outfit Göztepe Izmir (70%). 

While Valenciennes, despite a recent defeat on the final day against Saint-Étienne, secured their place in Ligue 2, they have yet to taste success in the top division. 

Nonetheless, the club has triumphed in Ligue 2 on two occasions and claimed titles in the Championnat National and the Championnat de France amateur in 2005 and 1998, respectively. 

Notably, in 1951, Valenciennes made their first and only appearance in the Coupe de France final.