Valencia football club not for sale: Peter Lim's investment company Meriton Holdings

Not for sale.

Belmont Lay

March 03, 2025, 06:53 PM

Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim's private investment company Meriton Holdings has responded to rumours that Spanish football club Valencia is up for sale.

The firm said in a statement to media in the wake of Spanish reports of the possible sale: "Meriton Holdings refers to the recent media articles regarding Valencia CF being up for sale. Meriton wants to make it clear that such reports are false."

The statement continued: "Valencia CF is not up for sale and Meriton remains committed to Valencia CF."

What sparked rumours

Rumours of Lim reportedly putting Valencia CF up for sale for €400 million (S$562 million) were published by Spanish media outlet Cadena Cope.

That sum was reportedly for his majority stake in the team.

Lim reportedly secured a 70.4 per cent stake in the club for €100 million (S$173 million) in 2014.

A decade of ownership

The rumoured search for buyers comes after over a decade of ownership.

Fans' optimism have turned to frustration over the years.

The sacking of manager Marcelino Garcia Toral in 2019, despite the team having won the Copa del Rey and finishing fourth in La Liga that season, was followed by more discontent over the club's management.

According to Spanish media, the club has seen its value plummet, with considerable debts mounting, compounded by subpar performances.

Protests against Lim’s ownership have intensified, with fans displaying signs and flags bearing the message "Lim Go Home" during matches.

Two fans, who were in Singapore, even displayed similar flags outside Lim's condominium, which contravened local laws.

According to media reports from a few months ago, the club has chalked up debts of up to €340 million (S$477 million) with an unfinished stadium.

Rumours of finding a buyer surfaced at around that time in the Spanish media.

There was apparently interest from an Indonesian buyer two years ago, according to Espana Football, but Lim was not keen to sell.

The latest talk is that Nasser Al Khelaifi, the president of French side PSG, is said to be interested.