New investment could boost Exeter squad - Baxter
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says fresh investment in the club could allow some new players to join this summer.
Rob Baxter's side were beaten by Ulster in their European Challenge Cup semi-final on Sunday [Shutterstock] Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter says fresh investment in the club could allow some new players to join in the summer. Exeter members will vote on a proposed takeover by American investors on Thursday - understood to be Black Knight Football Club that owns Premier League side AFC Bournemouth. The Chiefs have extended the terms of a number of their players who were out of contract this summer, as well as agreeing deals to sign the likes of Crusaders' back Dallas McLeod, Saracens forward Harry Wilson and Bath centre Will Butt.
"We've got a little bit of room, but not loads and loads," Baxter said when asked how much of the Prem Rugby salary cap the club had available to spend. "If you say, can we go out and get one player? Yeah, of course you can, but on the whole, we've got a pretty settled senior squad there with a good group of good players.
"Is there room for a specialist in a certain position? Potentially, yes, and that's probably what we would look at. "But right here and now, we're not going to do that until we know exactly where we are financially longer term.
" Should Exeter members approve the takeover proposals at the special general meeting at Sandy Park on Thursday evening the club would be the latest to have new investment in the Prem. Energy drinks giant Red Bull took over Newcastle last August while Bath have been boosted by businessman James Dyson purchasing a 50% stake in the Prem champions. "The majority of the discussions have happened with the members of the board who are far more business involved than I am - I'm very much the rugby voice on the board," added Baxter.