Trump seeks entry into football ownership ... in Colombia

For a man who wants to build a wall on the border of the United States and Mexico, business mogul Donald Trump seems the most unlikely candidate to buy into a Latin American football club.

Donald Trump has his eyes on Atletico National's green machine (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

But that’s precisely what the controversial millionaire is planning to do after reportedly teaming up with an Italian real estate mogul to buy out a Colombian side, initally believed to be Atletico Nacional.

Trump, who is currently running for the Republican ticket to campaign for the US presidency, and Alessandro Proto submitted a formal offer for the club, which is based in Colombia’s second-largest city, Medellin.

“We are ready to invest in the club and bring it to the ranks of the world’s best,” a joint statement from Trump and Proto Enterprises read. “Now we are awaiting a response from the club’s ownership.”

Trump has been making headlines during his political campaign, notably by claiming immigrants from Mexico were bringing drugs and crime into the US.

“It’s coming from more than Mexico. It’s coming from all over South and Latin America,” he said in a speech last month.

Colombian popstar Shakira, who is married into football with Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, took exception to his comments at the time.

Trump's joint bid for the club was reported to be in the region of $US100 million ($135.7 million), however the current club administrators responded with laughter when approached for comment by local media.

News outlet El Pais reported that the club’s press officer described the situation as “completely false”, but it has since been reported by New York Post that talks broke down when a counter-offer of $US150 million was tabled by the club.

"Maybe they think we’re stupid," Trump said of that offer. “We had offered $100 million and that it was an important offer. We are not willing to offer more and continue negotiations. For us it is permanently closed. Now we will evaluate other clubs in Colombia, but not only."

Atletico Nacional is the only Colombian club to have won the countries two domestic short-format tournaments twice, in 2007 and 2013, as is also the only club that has claimed achieved two consecutive titles since the format was changed in 2001.

Notable players to have played for the club include Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina as well as colourful former Newcastle United forward Faustino Asprilla, who had two spells at the club.

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