Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has moved closer to an ownership stake in Italian football, with his company NXTPLAY Capital announcing it has submitted an offer to acquire the entirety of AC Reggiana, the Serie C club.
NXTPLAY Capital said on Friday, 13 November, that it had put forward a proposal to purchase 100% of the club. The announcement was welcomed by Reggiana ownership group, but it also triggered a public reply clarifying what is still missing before any deal can progress.
According to the club’s current shareholders, they have not received a binding, irrevocable purchase offer. They also say the deposit and financial guarantee required under the sale process have yet to be provided. As a result, the negotiations are understood to be ongoing, with the status of any potential takeover still uncertain.
Courtois’ long-term pitch
NXTPLAY Capital has framed its interest around a long-term sporting project and a strong local connection to Reggio Emilia. Courtois has said his experience as a professional has shown him the value of clubs rooted in their communities, and he wants any new structure to reflect that.
The platform also expects youth development to play a central role in its plans. NXTPLAY said its proposal follows several months of preparation, including visits to the club and meetings with local stakeholders such as businesses, sponsors and people involved with Reggiana.
NXTPLAY Capital’s wider investment footprint includes clubs in other European leagues, including French side Le Mans FC and Belgian outfit KRC Genk, where Courtois has personal ties from the early stages of his career. (Genk has described Courtois’ involvement there as a minority stake, while NXTPLAY has also been linked to Spanish club CD Extremadura.)
For Reggiana, the immediate focus is whether NXTPLAY can meet the formal requirements set by the current shareholders. Until an irrevocable offer and the necessary guarantee are submitted, the proposed move into Italian club ownership remains unresolved.
