Standard Liège to be sold?

Belgium newspaper ‘Le Soir‘ is reporting that Roland Duchâtelet is in possession of a €50m bid from a foreign investment fund for Standard Liege.

Duchatelet is said to want €60m, particularly since Standard’s stock is currently so high. Nevertheless after buying the club for €40m in 2011, €50m would still represent a 25% profit.

Duchâtelet threatened to sell the club last summer after Standard fans interrupted a board meeting and invaded his office, this followed the sacking of popular manager Mircea Rednic.

Things have calmed down though in Liege, as they ride high at the top of the Belgium Pro League 10 points clear of nearest rivals Club Brugge and although Les Rouches have to navigate an end of season play-off system, one would have to think that a Champions League spot beckons.

To most owners this would be manna from heaven, and Roly would be able to look Standard fans in the eye who questioned his motives.

However it is obvious that Duchâtelet sees football more than just success and dreams, it is about business, making money and proving that his policies work. Remember he was an idealistic politician and it would surprise no one if he took the money and moved on.

If that was to happen, where would it leave Charlton? Maybe the Addicks would become his primary focus, his favourite ‘stock’ and please, hopefully he might also see the urgency of our immediate and perilous league position.

More possibly he would re-invest in another club, just like a property magnet detaches themselves from a beautiful home on the water, and flogs it at great profit and buys a falling down block of flats, ready and confident that he can turn it into another attractive asset.

What I would like to hear and there are various fan meetings coming up, is the owner’s vision for Charlton. We never got a whisper out of Slater and Jimenez, either factual or conjecture, you certainly can’t say that about Duchâtelet.