Charlton Athletic Belgian Millionaire Takeover
The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic football club Reuters

Charlton Athletic are in advanced talks with Belgian tycoon Roland Duchâtelet, the country's 18<sup>th richest man, over a £14 million takeover of the Championship club.

The deal is expected to be completed in the new year and comes just a month after a potential takeover by American investment banker Josh Harris fell through at the due diligence stage.

Current chairman Michael Slater confirmed in a statement that "very constructive discussions are ongoing which we hope to conclude soon."

Duchâtelet, 67, made his fortune of approximately €500m (£417m) in electronics and is the current owner of Belgian league leaders Standard Liège.

The millionaire is a high-profile political activist in his homeland, bankrolling the Vivant party which encourages a greater redistribution of wealth.

Charlton manager Chris Powell commented on the takeover after the club's 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, noting that the investment could finally secure contracts for the coaching and playing staff.

"A lot of them deserve to have their futures secured," he said.

"Obviously I will ask about my staff and myself and ask about their [the new owners'] plans for the football club.

"We'll see exactly what is going to happen now if this investment goes through, and what the new people think.

"And obviously I've got to have discussions if and when it happens."

Charlton are no stranger to takeover attempts. Peter Varney, their former chief executive, headed a consortium to buy the club in 2008, the same year as Dubai-based Zabeel Investments were close to striking a deal for the club. A Russian group of investors were rumoured to be interested in a takeover in January.

The south London club are currently 19<sup>th in the Championship, four points above the drop zone.