The American fund KKR, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, have reportedly laid their eyes on Atalanta. The prospective buyers have completed the due diligence. Therefore, the negotiation has entered its final stages, Sky Sport reports. However, a spokesperson of the conglomerate denied the rumors to news agency Ansa.
According to the outlet, the Percassi family would retain at least 15 percent of the shares. The current CEO, Luca, would maintain his position. He is also the acting president of Serie A. KKR would pay €350M to acquire Atalanta. President Antonio Percassi, the father of Luca, has been at the helm since 2010 when he bought the club for €14M. He and Gian Piero Gasperini shepherded it through the most successful years in its history.
The operation may be completed through two steps, Gianluca Di Marzio informs. At first, KKR could enter Atalanta with a minority stake and then fully take control down the line. Regardless of the technicalities, the Percassi family would stay on board at first to oversee the ongoing renovations of the Gewiss Stadium, Calcio e Finanza relays.
KKR has been in the news in Italy lately as they are trying to take over TIM, the biggest communications company. It was established in 1976 and was enlisted in Wall Street in 2010. It handles assets for about €400B. La Dea may become the seventh Serie A club with foreign owners. According to Tuttomercatoweb, the situation is fluid despite the retraction. One of the sub-funds or a different conglomerate may purchase the franchise in the end.