Premier League club takes huge step towards takeover as owner sounds out buyers for £400m deal

BRENTFORD have taken a major step towards new ownership.

Current owner Matthew Benham has appointed Rothschild to oversee a potential takeover process.

PA

Brentford owner Matthew Benham could sell the club[/caption]

Rothschild, a financial group, is expected to kick off a formal process in the near future.

It could see a controlling stake in the club sold.

Given Brentford‘s Premier League success in recent years, it is understood the club could be valued at £400million.

Football industry experts expect the Bees to draw interest from US-based investors.

According to Sky News, an insider has suggested that Benham would want to remain as a minority investor for the long term if he does decide to sell.

Benham, 55, initially invested in Brentford in 2007.

He took full control in June 2012, when the Bees were in League One.

Brentford earned promotion to the Championship by 2015 and got to the Premier League six years later.

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The Bees have made a remarkable impact on the top flight since getting promoted.

The club made a profit of £10.9m last season, with a wage bill of just £98.8m.

That gives a total pre-tax profit for their first two Premier League seasons of £39m.

By contrast, Manchester United’s aggregate profit throughout the Prem’s three decades stands at just £39m.

Brentford are expected to receive a huge cash injection this summer, with Ivan Toney set to leave.

Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in signing the striker, but the Bees will likely demand at least £80m for their star striker.