Big Cardiff City takeover update emerges as two groups join Gareth Bale in pursuit to replace Vincent Tan | OneFootball

Two new groups have joined Gareth Bale in an increasing effort to purchase Cardiff City from long-serving Malaysian owner Vincent Tan

Although it has been a quiet summer for Cardiff City in terms of transfer activity following relegation to League One at the end of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, there has been plenty of talk away from the pitch regarding a potential takeover and it has now emerged that three separate ownership groups are interested in completing a purchase of the Welsh capital club.

As reported on Monday afternoon by WalesOnline, three groups, including a South African-led consortium, are discussing the possibility of a takeover.

This update comes following widespread social media claims of interest from South African-born investor Gary Otto, who has been strongly linked with a takeover as part of a consortium in recent days.

It's a saga which has continued to play out over the last few weeks, first started by the admission of interest from a consortium led by former Real Madrid and Wales superstar Gareth Bale last month.

Bale, of course, has made little secret of his ambition to help purchase his hometown club from controversial Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan, who has been at the helm since 2010, and the 36-year-old described the idea of a takeover as a "dream come true" during a recent interview with Sky Sports.

However, it does appear as though any potential takeover from Bale and his group is some way off completion for the time being.

Either way, supporters are eager to see a takeover completed in order to facilitate a reset in the club's first campaign in English football's third-tier in more than 20 years, with City having suffered relegation in 24th position last term after spending two of the previous three seasons fighting against the drop.

Big Cardiff City takeover update emerges as three groups interested in purchase

According to WalesOnline's latest report, there are currently up to three separate groups "exploring the possibility" of acquiring Cardiff.

One of those groups has been confirmed to be the South African consortium, which Otto is a part of. The California-based figure made his fortune in real estate but has moved into the footballing world and is a joint-owner of National League outfit Sutton United, and has reportedly made unsuccessful ownership approaches to domestic sides including Coventry City, Leeds United and MK Dons and a trio of overseas clubs in Le Havre, Lugano FC and Nancy in recent years.

With rumours having initially been fuelled on social media over the last 48 hours, supporters even noticed that Otto had started following the official accounts of Cardiff and new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy on Instagram.

While Otto's interest is true, other rumours have been played down. It's said that any claims of a representative from the consortium flying to Monaco to meet chairman Mehmet Dalman, or any prospective new owners undertaking a tour of Cardiff City Stadium, are wide of the mark, with the club's hierarchy also dismissing the school of thought that takeover talks could be delaying the club in the transfer market.

Meanwhile, Bale's group are still stated to hold an interest but are not alone in their pursuit of a takeover. Earlier this month, it was reported by WalesOnline that Cardiff had not received the basic criteria for a prospective takeover, which would include a heads of terms, proof of funds and total clarity of who is behind the money.

The Bluebirds have received a letter of intent, although it also appears as though there is a discrepancy in the club's valuation between Bale's group and Tan, with the ex-winger's consortium offering a figure well below the £40 million mark and, in turn, what would be required to complete a purchase.

For now, at least, the identity of the third and final group remains unclear. What is more clear, however, is that there is serious external interest in a takeover, although no formal bids have yet been lodged.

It's detailed that the lengthy process of a takeover could take as long as six months, with various regulatory tests required for any prospective ownership group.

Quite exactly what would represent a reasonable offer in Tan's eyes is also unknown.

The Malaysian owner stated he was "committed" to achieving promotion in an official statement to supporters back in April after relegation was confirmed, although fans have long questioned Tan's commitment and his position at the club has received increased scrutiny over the last twelve months amid multiple fan-led protests last term.

Cardiff City fans will hope for good news in coming weeks

Cardiff fans will not be taking their eye off the ball when it comes to emerging news in the coming weeks ahead, with punters hopeful of both progressive and positive ownership updates and a number of new signings to help the club's efforts to gain promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt under Barry-Murphy.

Remarkably, the Bluebirds remain the only League One club yet to complete a signing this summer, despite releasing no less than nine players - including the likes of Joe Ralls, Aaron Ramsey and Andy Rinomhota - at the end of their respective contracts in June.

WalesOnline's aforementioned report has also revealed that only three or four new acquisitions are expected before the window's deadline, although that number could be boosted in the event of further outgoings.

Quality over quantity appears to be the order of the day, then, and that may well represent the best blueprint for Cardiff's summer business.

However, Cardiff commence their League One campaign in less than two weeks' time, at home to Peterborough United on Saturday, August 2, and supporters will demand fresh faces ahead of their side's curtain-raiser. They will also be hopeful of added developments on the ownership front, which is the hottest topic in this corner of South Wales at the minute as fans dream of a new group at the helm.