The rumours that Chinese Wanda Sports group is interested in buying cycling’s three Grand Tours has resurfaced recently.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Dalian Wanda group, which owns Wanda Sports, and is itself owned by China’s richest man Wang Jianlin, is potentially interested in buying the Amaury Sport Organisation and its Tour de France.

ASO owns 19 events and organizes three others, with seven of those in the UCI WorldTour. The Tour de France is broadcast in more than 180 countries.

The Wall Street Journal states that people familiar with Wanda’s plans have confirmed Jianlin’s interest in ASO. It added that the deal isn’t advanced at this point and that discussions are at an early stage.

Jianlin is China’s wealthiest person with an estimated fortune of almost $30 billion. In early 2015 he purchased Infront Sports & Media and, for $650 million, the World Triathlon Corporation including the Ironman brand.

Infront made headlines last week when it reached a 10-year deal with cycling group Velon.

Source: velonews

Proofread by John Devlin.