One of the world's most expensive footballers has won a court dispute with a property tycoon over a £7 million London property.
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div>One of the world’s most expensive footballers has won a court dispute with a property tycoon over a £7 million London property.
Barcelona and former Arsenal footballer Cesc Fabregas has won the right to purchase the £7 million Belgravia apartment, after a court rejected property developer Elie Taktouk’s attempt to block the sale.
Property Tycoon Elie Taktouk had been contesting the sale, which came in £1.6 million lower than valuation, after being embroiled in a court settlement that requires him to pay out to provide a home for his ex-wife, Daniella Semaan – Fabregas’ new girlfriend.
On appeal, it was argued that there were several other interested parties who were willing to pay much more - but have been unable to view the flat while Miss Semaan is in it.
Mr Lyon, Mr Taktouk's barrister, said: "There's credible prima facie evidence that this property can sell, and sell quickly, for a sum in the region of £7.5 million," Mr Lyon said.
"There are five parties, all of whom have had absolutely no connection with the husband or his family, who have expressed interest in purchasing this property at £7.5 million and all of whom have requested access for viewings, and all of whom are described by the proposed agents as being serious offers."
Mr Taktouk had claimed Miss Semaan’s new boyfriend – the multi-millionaire Mr Fabregas - is financially supporting Daniella Semaan, therefore the previous ruling of a £1.4 million settlement was unnecessary.
However, the High Court has ruled that the flat should be sold, with Miss Semaan being awarded £1.4 million in order to purchase a new home, after the Lebanese woman was deemed to have a little financial income.
Mr Taktouk claims that, while their divorce was going through, Miss Semaan understated the financial support she will now get from Mr Fabregas – who is believed to earn £5 million-a-year.
Her evidence during the case led to Mr Justice Coleridge ruling that the £7 million flat, where she used to live with her ex-husband, should be sold. The profit from the sale and a top-up payment from Mr Taktouk, would provide the £1.4 million Ms Semaan needs for a new home.
However, the case took an obscure twist just weeks after the decision, when a company controlled by Mr Fabregas put a £5.4 million bid on the Upper Belgrave Street flat.
Mr Taktouk’s Barrister, Stephen Lyon, said: “Mr Fabregas, we say, is quite clearly a resource of far greater significance than the wife let on in the course of her evidence.
“We say it is rather extraordinary that, less than three weeks after judgment was handed down, through his company in Barcelona, he was offering to purchase the flat.”
Mr Taktouk and Ms Semaan divorced after pictures surfaced in the media showing the 38-year-old Lebanese mother -of-two, on holiday in Italy with the former Arsenal superstar last year.
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