Consortium eyes Torino takeover with Lloyds Bank backing
A consortium of investors, potentially backed by Lloyds Bank, is preparing a formal offer to acquire Serie A club Torino, according to reports emerging from London. The group is said to be structuring a bid worth around €200 million for the Granata, with the aim of presenting a detailed proposal to current president Urbano Cairo before the end of the current season.
Sources indicate that the interest from London-based financial circles has been building for several weeks, with Italy's relatively affordable club valuations compared to the Premier League seen as a key attraction. The potential involvement of Lloyds Bank, one of the UK's largest financial institutions, is viewed as a sign of the bid's seriousness, though its precise role as a guarantor or financier remains undefined. The process is reportedly in its early stages, with a composite fund being assembled to lead the acquisition.
This movement aligns with recent public statements from Urbano Cairo, who has confirmed he is willing to listen to serious offers for the club he has owned since 2005. Cairo has stipulated that any proposal must be solid and concrete, with the long-term health of the club being the paramount concern. In preparation for a potential bid, the interested consortium has already engaged a major Italian law firm to draft the formal proposal documents.
Further credibility is added to the operation by the alleged involvement of former executive Marco Fassone as an advisor. Fassone, who has held senior roles at Juventus, Napoli, Inter, and AC Milan, is said to have been working discreetly since the start of the year to identify and engage suitable financiers capable of elevating the club's level. His experience in Serie A is seen as valuable for navigating a potential transition.
The reported €200 million valuation, while significant, is expected to be a starting point for negotiations. The substantial figure suggests the investors have the resources to follow through with further squad investment, a key demand from a fanbase weary of mid-table anonymity. The consortium may also include American investors, who have shown consistent interest in Italian football assets in recent years.
The timing of the proposed offer is strategic, aiming for a conclusion before the summer transfer window opens. This would allow any new ownership to work with Cairo on squad planning for the 2024-25 campaign, a model seen in other recent Italian club takeovers. While talks are preliminary and no formal offer has been made, the structured nature of the interest points to a credible attempt to purchase one of Italy's historic clubs.
