U.S. private equity giant Apollo Global Management is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire a significant stake in Spanish football club Atletico Madrid, according to a report by Expansión published on Wednesday.
The potential deal would value the La Liga side at approximately €2.5 billion (US$2.91 billion), including debt, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The proposed investment would come through a capital increase in Atletico Holdco, the holding company that controls a majority share of the club. This mechanism would allow Apollo to secure its stake without purchasing shares directly from existing shareholders.
Atletico Madrid, one of Spain’s most storied clubs, has attracted international investment interest in recent years amid the growing commercialisation of European football and the appeal of La Liga’s global reach.
Neither Apollo Global Management nor Atletico Madrid have publicly commented on the report.
If confirmed, the deal would mark another major foray into European football by a U.S.-based investor, continuing a broader trend of American firms seeking strategic positions in high-profile clubs across the continent.