Representatives of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua have held talks about a potential investment in Watford.
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Joshua is a boyhood Watford fanOpens talks over potential investment in clubCould become latest big name involved in football WHAT HAPPENED?
Joshua is a Watford fan and could be set to take a minority stake in the Championship club, according to . The boxer's camp have opened talks with the club about a potential investment. Joshua was approached by the Championship club, who appear to be actively seeking investment. Watford are valued at a fee in the region of £150 million to £175m ($191m to $223m).
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Joshua was born in Watford and reportedly has a net worth of £150m to £200m ($191m to $254m). He is a two-time heavyweight champion and also claimed gold at the London Olympics in 2012. The boxer has good relationships with former Watford owner Sir Elton John and ex-skipper Troy Deeney, while footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have been spotted with Joshua watching the Tyson Fury fight with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
A spokesperson for Joshua told : "An investment business which has brought Anthony investment opportunities in the past was approached and held an entry level discussion about an opportunity with Watford Football Club. This was an initial chat without even a discussion over due diligence which so often kills these types of deal.”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WATFORD
If Joshua does opt to invest in Watford he will become the latest big name to make the move into football. Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have famously taken over at Wrexham, NFL legend JJ Watt has invested in Burnley and legendary quarter-back Tom Brady is a minority owner at Birmingham City.