Thomas Sandgaard set to fly to London as he eyes completion on Charlton Athletic takeover

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Thomas Sangaard has a Charlton shirt – but has vowed to only put it on when his takeover of the club is complete.

The 62-year-old US-based Danish tycoon, pictured above, could be set to fly to London this weekend.

But Sandgaard is set to have to wait for the result of a court case on Tuesday – Paul Elliott is seeking an injunction to prevent East Street Investments selling to anyone else – before he can complete negotiations to acquire the League One club.

“I’ve been travelling this week and I’ve got the shirt in my bag ready to put on,” said Sandgaard.

Asked how he will celebrate if he takes control of the Addicks, he replied: “Champagne is a good way, but if I’m not in London already then I’ll make my way there immediately when we can get this done.

“I want to be there. I want to make sure I get into it right away. And although maybe not directly, as much as I can I want to celebrate with all the fans.”

Sandgaard has yet to speak with Charlton manager Lee Bowyer, whose squad building plans have been badly disrupted by the EFL’s transfer embargo.

“It’s been suggested I start talking to him already but I want to make sure I avoid any confusion,” he explained. “I want to leave it to them to focus on the football and getting the team ready for the season.

“Once it is official, then we get into it. I think the morally right thing to do is leave them alone while this is going on.”

Sandgaard has started the process of passing the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ test.

“I’ve provided information for application to my attorneys,” he said. “It is very straightforward, a much easier process than we thought.

“Even though we think it is very straightforward to complete a deal [in terms of his takeover] there is a lot of legal work.

“But once the attorneys are done then ideally it will be done the day after the injunction. It would be a good time in terms of being somewhat ready for next season.”

Charlton have only made two signings since relegation to League One – Conor Washington and Alex Gilbey. Bowyer wants to re-sign Adam Matthews but the EFL have refused to process that application.

The central defensive options have been reduced with captain Jason Pearce out for up to two months with a knee injury.

There is also the chance that Wales international Tom Lockyer could still exercise his option to leave on a free transfer.