June 13 – Burnley’s American owner Alan Pace is in advanced negotiations to acquire a stake in Spanish club Espanyol. The deal, if finalised, would see Espanyol become the second club in the portfolio of ALK Capital, the US-based investment firm that acquired an 84% controlling stake in Burnley for £170 million in December 2020.
ALK’s long-stated aim is to build a “multi-club sports platform”, and Espanyol would mark a significant foothold in mainland Europe.
ALK has reportedly held talks with several Spanish clubs in recent months, but Espanyol – currently owned by Chinese conglomerate Rastar Group – is believed to be closest to agreement. The financial terms remain undisclosed, but Espanyol’s valuation has hovered around £110 million, following their return to La Liga and 14th-place finish last season.
The deal aligns with the strategic rationale driving a number of Premier League clubs toward La Liga and Spain’s lower leagues: liberal registration rules, streamlined pathways for South American talent, and long-standing cultural and scouting ties to Latin America. Spain offers easier naturalisation routes and broader player market access, making it a prime gateway for sourcing and developing non-EU players.
If concluded, ALK would join a list of Premier League-linked groups deepening their footprint in Spanish football. City Football Group set the precedent in 2017 with Girona, which sparked the cut-price transfer of Brazilian talent Savinho last summer. Elsewhere in the Premier League, Aston Villa’s V Sports bought into Real Unión, and Brentford’s Matthew Benham acquired third-tier Mérida AD. Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group also explored a deal for Málaga this season, although no transaction has been finalised.
The move comes as UEFA applies greater scrutiny to multi-club ownership structures. Crystal Palace could be barred from next season’s Europa League due to co-owner John Textor’s control of Lyon, who also qualified. This conundrum could become a regular occurrence – fewer than 60 clubs were in multi-club networks in 2020; now the number exceeds 400.
Should the Espanyol deal be completed, it would solidify Burnley’s long-term recruitment strategy upon their return to the Premier League, providing pipeline access to low-profile European and South American youth talent — a potential hedge against the rising costs of Premier League player acquisition.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1749900956labto1749900956ofdlr1749900956owedi1749900956sni@g1749900956niwe.1749900956yrrah1749900956