Burnley owners hold talks to buy another club – Could expand network across Atlantic

Burnley’s owners could be looking to add another club to their growing network, with Club León now attracting their attention in Mexico.

Velocity Sports Limited already own Burnley and added Espanyol to their portfolio late last year. According to México’s Milenio, their representatives have now held talks with León president Jesús Martínez Murguía in the United States.

This seems to have gone beyond simply asking whether the Mexican club might be available.

Burnley owners getting a closer look

León have been in the United States for the Leagues Cup, and Velocity used the opportunity to get closer to the club. Their representatives were in Houston for León’s 2-0 semi-final defeat to Toluca at Shell Energy Stadium.

Milenio-La Afición say they spotted the parties speaking with León’s directors pitch-side. That happened shortly before kick-off, while the players were warming up.

Pedro Cedillo, a director at Grupo Pachuca, was also there. Velocity have been getting to know León’s sale documents and assets in more detail. They also spent time around Martínez Murguía, who has been club president since 2011.

There is a reason this opportunity has opened up. León are going through a divestment process ordered by Mexican football’s Assembly of Owners. New rules from the Mexican Football Federation and Liga MX are aimed at ending multi-club ownership in the country.

Grupo Pachuca therefore need to sell León, and Burnley’s owners are among those taking a serious look.

Espanyol link has already been put to use

Velocity have controlled Burnley since 2020, while Espanyol joined the group towards the end of 2025. That relationship has already produced some movement between the two clubs.

Lluc Castell arrived at Burnley this summer after developing at Espanyol. Quilindschy Hartman went the other way, joining the Spanish club on loan.

Luca Koleosho is another example of the connection. He was signed and moved back on loan before Burnley eventually sold him to Paris FC for a good profit.

Adding León would give Velocity another very different market to work with. There is nothing yet to say that a deal is close, though.

Another group has held talks

They also have competition though. León president Martínez Murguía met Avenue Capital representative Eduardo Clavé in Denver earlier in the Leagues Cup.

That meeting took place while León were preparing to face Real Salt Lake for a place in the semi-finals.

Avenue Capital are a global investment and private equity firm. Their founder and CEO, Marc Lasry, was majority co-owner of NBA side Milwaukee Bucks between 2014 and 2023.

What is clear is that Velocity have gone far enough to meet the people involved and study what exactly is for sale.

Less than a year after Espanyol joined Burnley under the same ownership, another club could now be added to the network – this time on the other side of the Atlantic.