Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 7:49 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 7:50 p.m.
Alexandru Meszar, the president of UTA Arad, resumed the track regarding the sale of the club, after saying in the summer, at the beginning of the season, that he would be willing to take this step for free, only if someone promises him that the project will continue.
7 months later, the leader of the Arada team said, in an interview given to the local media, that his position regarding the sale of the team has not changed and that he is still open to dialogue, if any investor intends to take over the team.
The team coached by Adrian Mihalcea is in a preventive arrangement, the last step before insolvency, but Meszar does not consider this detail to be an impediment for investors.
Alexandru Meszar is willing to sell UTA: “For me, the most important thing is the future of this club”
“My position has not changed. I said and I repeat, I am willing to sell the club, including without a financial consideration. However, those who take over UTA must present real guarantees that they can ensure the continuity and development of the club. For me, the most important thing is the future of this club and its long-term stability. UTA is not only a sports entity, it is a symbol of Arad, and any decision must be taken responsibly.
I don't see it as a disadvantage (not that the team is in preventive agreement), on the contrary, it's an element of transparency. Any potential investor knows exactly the situation of the club, there is a clear plan, approved by the court, with a well-defined payment schedule. There are no hidden things, no major uncertainties. So from that point of view, I think it's really a fair and predictable framework for anyone who wants to get involved.
Obviously, the interest must be serious and based on a solid project, not on momentary intentions. UTA is a club with potential, with supporters, with history, and if a partner or an investor appears who can carry this project forward in good conditions, I am open to dialogue”said Meszar, quoted by sportarad.ro.
What Meszar was saying in August 2025 about the sale of the club
“The club is not for sale! The club can be sold to a group, person or company for no money, no financial claims, but on the basis of guarantees of long-term continuity in League 1 and on better terms than the current ones… We are struggling, that's the truth.
We're trying to make sure the team doesn't suffer, the supporters don't suffer, that they have all the conditions and they do, but nothing is guaranteed. So, if someone presents himself with concrete guarantees that he can lead the club to a safer form, in the longer term, in better conditions, he surrenders without any pretensions. We would be very happy for that to happen, maybe we could come up with something…”, Meszar said last year at the start of the season.
Meszar, about the situation of the preventive agreement: “Only in 2026 we paid over 700 thousand euros to ANAF”
The first months of the preventive arrangement were, without a doubt, a difficult period, but necessary for the stabilization of the club. We entered this process precisely to have a legal and predictable framework through which we can properly manage financial obligations and ensure the continuity of the activity. It is very important to specify that this agreement refers exclusively to debts to the state.
No players, employees or suppliers are affected, and that speaks volumes for how we handled the situation. It should also be understood that, through this mechanism, UTA did not harm anyone. No debt was written off, nothing was cut. We are strictly talking about a staggered payment to the state, in a legal, assumed and transparent framework.
There have, of course, been considerable efforts to meet the deadlines, and this remains a priority for us. In this year 2026 alone, we paid over 700 thousand euros to ANAF. It's not an easy time, but so far we've managed to stick to the set plan.
It is true that the current income does not fully cover the level of expenses, but we are constantly working on optimization, attracting partners and strengthening the club on a healthy basis. The important thing is that we have a clear plan, which we follow with responsibility. Our objective is long-term stability
Alexandru Meszar, president of UTA Arad
After the first two stages of the play-out, UTA is in 2nd place, with 25 points, two less than FCSB. Being in preventive agreement, UTA does not have the right to participate in European cups.
