Gunners to swallow BMC in proposed merger
Thato Kala | Tuesday May 13, 2014 11:46
Reports say that the merger may be announced when BMC owner, Daroush Ghodrati, who is currently in Canada comes back.
“The media will soon be called for an announcement perhaps when Ghodrati returns from his trip to Canada in three weeks’ time,” the source said.
It is understood that Ghodrati who acquired BMC for almost nothing last year is eyeing a merger to exploit Gunners brand and massive support base. “He wants a team that already has a support base,” sources said.
If the merger happens, BMC are likely to disband and sell their Premier League status. Under the proposed deal, at least 11 players will move from BMC to Gunners. Ghodrati will take over management of Gunners and pay salaries, bonuses and players rents in exchange for shares in the club. Players discarded by both sides to form one strong team will either be allowed to move to other clubs or will be paid off.
Despite the impending merger, the two clubs have remained tight-lipped on the details. “There is nothing to talk about at the moment, we have been talking (with Gunners),” was all Ghodrati said on Saturday.
Gunners chairman Kitso Dlamini was equally guarded saying that he was not in a position to discuss the negotiations.
But it is known that BMC management met with players after their final league game with Santos and were briefed about the merger negotiations. Last Friday, the club honoured its outstanding players with 20-year-old skipper, Mosha Gaolaolwe emerging tops. He was named BMC player of the season while Tshepo Maikano is the most improved player at the club.
National Under-20 captain, Unobatsha Mbaiwa was named young player of the season. The players’ player of the season award went to Sageby Sandaka, whose 15 goals made him the club’s top marksman. Tshepo Maikano was recognised as the most valuable player while the chairperson award went to Thabo Leinanyana. The supporters’ player of the season was Tshepo Maikano.