November 25 – Construction entrepreneur and investor Ivan Pashov (pictured) has announced he is ready to buy the controlling stake in Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv. Pashov said he is ready to pay BGN 1 million (€500 000) to current owner Hristo Krusharski in order to gain control of the Plovdiv club.
More than a month ago, Krusharski revealed that he was stopping financing of Lokomotiv Plovdiv and was ready to part with his shares if someone paid him BGN 5 million ($1.5 million). At this point, however, there are no other interested parties though Pashov’s offer is far below the asking price.
The two businessmen have met but were unable to reach any understanding. After that, Krusharski and Pashov have continued their communication publically in the Bulgarian media.
In his message in the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), Pashov said he was ready to pay BGN 1 million.
“I want to take over the controlling stake in Lokomotiv. My interest is serious. The fans asked me. I saw that Lokomotiv is in a dead end. I want to help, but so far things are not happening in a way that is for the good of the team,” said Pashov.
“I have only met Hristo Krusharski once, in our only meeting. At that time, I revealed to him how much money I was ready to give him. He knows very well what we talked about. Now I tell him that I can give him one million and let’s leave Lokomotiv.
“Then he told me that he gave BGN 20 million as alimony, but he wants just BGN 5 from me to take over the club. And the price is so reduced because I am young and inspired and he will give me a discount. I was surprised because there is no discount of BGN 15 million even on Black Friday,” he added.
Pashov also said he is ready to cover the club’s tax debts, as well as to repay Krusharski’s investment in the Lokomotiv Plovdiv training base.
“Of course, I am ready to pay an adequate price, but first I want an audit. And I don’t see what there is to hide. That’s probably why Krusharski wants a confidentiality declaration, because he has something to worry about. But if he is lying about something, sooner or later the lie will come to light. The bad thing is that there is no dialogue. He does not give the opportunity to comment on the details. He wants BGN 5 million just like that,” Pashov said.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1735215801labto1735215801ofdlr1735215801owedi1735215801sni@o1735215801fni1735215801