Come on board

JOHNY PLACIDE . . . the goalkeeper has been training with Athletic over the last couple of weeks

ATHLETIC are hoping to secure investment from a Dubai-based agent, with his influence already showing through the imminent signing of goalkeeper Johny Placide.

Abdallah Lemsagam was a boardroom guest of chairman Simon Corney's for the home game against Wigan and the managing director of Sport 2JLT is the latest figure to be courted as the club try to bring in new sources of funds.

It is understood that the plan for the short-term at least is for Corney to stay on as chairman, with the Moroccan Lemsagam taking a place on the board.

"FRIEND"
"I am talking to two parties at the moment and one in particular we have a fair chance of getting over the line," Corney said in an interview on the club's website, after being contacted by the Chronicle.

"He is doing due diligence at the club and he's a friend of mine who is a businessman from Dubai called Abdallah.

"He has been here for three of the four games this season and though he probably hasn't been too happy with results like the rest of us, he recognises it's a good club and a proud club and that there's an opportunity to perhaps take things further.

"I'd like to do something before the window closes."

Lemsagam is understood to have had contact with Athletic's coaching staff over the past few weeks and has been involved in bringing over a number of trialists to the club recently.

One of those, Placide, was pictured yesterday on social media in an Athletic shirt in a posting made by an Istanbul agent.

TRAINING

The Haitian goalkeeper (29), who has played in the top two divisions in France for Reims and Guingamp, has been training with Athletic over the last couple of weeks and is understood to be awaiting international clearance after signing a contract.

Corney also stated in his interview that three weeks ago, Athletic received a letter from the EFL stating that the club were in breach of salary cap protocol due to overspending.

The problem appears to have been rectified quickly, with winger Gyamfi Kyeremeh signing a two-year deal two weeks ago.

Corney also stated that Athletic have agreed a price for an unidentified player, who has also agreed terms, but with his club not yet letting him out yet due to injuries.

The transfer window shuts next Thursday at 11pm and the idea is for Lemsagam to come in before that point to help add players to the squad.

Lemsagam's company profile states that he is an officially licensed FIFA agent and "a real football aficionado" who speaks a variety of languages.

Last season, Ledman Group president Martin Lee was linked with potential investment into Athletic.

The Chinese businessman was a guest of the club's for a home match against Peterborough along with his associate Philip Chu, but a deal did not materialise.

ATHLETIC have received two international call-ups, with Ryan McLaughlin and Cameron Dummigan both set to miss the Checkatrade Trophy game at home to Port Vale on Tuesday, August 29, and the Sky Bet League One home match with Charlton on Saturday, September 2.

McLaughlin is in the full Northern Ireland squad to face San Marino on Friday, September 1, and the Czech Republic on Monday, September 4, with Dummigan in Ian Baraclough's under-21s squad that takes on Albania and Slovakia.

Charlton striker Josh Magennis has also been called up to Northern Ireland's squad. In order to request a postponement, either Athletic or Charlton need three players to be on international duty.