Speculation continues to grow that Hull City owners will invest in Dundalk FC

Speculation has been growing over the past few days that Dundalk FC could be subject to another takeover bid, this time from Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali.

According to a report from the Irish Independent, The Lilywhites are in talks with Ilicali, who already owns English Championship side Hull City.

Despite claiming to have no interest in selling the club, co-owner Sean O’Connor, founder of STATSports, has admitted in the past he was open to investors coming into the club.

It is believed that the Turkish media mogul, who owns two TV stations in his home country, could be one such investor, with some reports suggesting that as much as 70 percent of the club is up for grabs should they meet the requirements.

Having already got his hands on a much larger club in the UK, why would Ilicali now be interested in an Irish team? The answer could be found in a Fans Forum he took part in last year.

"My idea is actually to buy another team that can help us to improve our young talents” the Hull owner told the Forum.

“If I can manage this, I want to buy a team that will help our young guys, plus some more young guys in a proper league with tough games. So they can improve and help us to go to the higher levels. This is another dream of mine, and I am trying to do that. I hope we can do it."

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It would not be the first example of this happening in the League of Ireland. The owners of Fleetwood Town bought Waterford FC. Players from the English side have ended up on the books of the First Division outfit. And vice versa.

Should this deal come to pass, it would be the fifth different set of owners to have arrived at Oriel Park over the past 11 years.

Andy Connolly and Sean O’Connor took over the club in late 2021, having fought off other consortium bids in the race to replace US firm Peak6. Thus, bringing the team back into local hands.