Kahn Begins Discussions To Buy Debt-ridden Former Ligue 1 Champions

Legendary German and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has started discussions to buy debt-ridden Bordeaux.

The club’s vice-president Arnaud De Carli told The Associated Press (AP) on Friday that Kahn is now in direct contact with Bordeaux president Gérard Lopez, after an initial approach was made via former Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud.

“I can confirm that we were approached by Eyraud on behalf on Oliver Kahn,” De Carli said, adding that Kahn first contacted Bordeaux three weeks ago.

Kahn confirmed to German newspaper Bild that negotiations had started but were at an early stage.

Bordeaux is a six-time French champion but is now languishing in the fourth division of French football with debts of €118 million.

The club found themselves demoted to the National 2 league last summer after failing to provide financial guarantees to French soccer’s financial watchdog, the DNCG.

The club was slammed with a first relegation to the third tier and was then placed into receivership by the city’s commercial court, which led to another relegation.

While this afforded the club a debt freeze, it also meant it had to renounce its professional status.