Rangers takeover involving 49ers could be completed by June

According to sources close to the negotiations, the San Francisco 49ers’ investment wing’s takeover of Rangers is expected to be finished in April or June.

There is “broad agreement” between all parties, with current shareholders expected to sell all, or part, of their stake in the club in the coming months.

The prospective owners would take on the debt, notably that former Rangers chairman John Bennett owes, by purchasing more than 50% of the shares.

A source with knowledge of the negotiations claims that he is “front and center,” but another as-yet-named investor is alleged to be just as influential in the deal as Marathe.

The club’s largest individual shareholder, Dave King, is reportedly in favor of the acquisition.

The South African-based businessman discussed investor fatigue at the Scottish Premiership club in a conversation last year.

There appears to be general agreement on the need for new energy and money at the club, despite other board members not having shared a similar view of King on many issues in recent years.

The current Rangers board views Marathe and his team as “serious people” who have a track record of revitalizing underperforming sporting institutions, which is how they view Rangers in a changing football landscape.

Since the second half of 2023, there have been private conversations about selling Rangers.