Prospective owners of the embattled Perth Glory could be asked to stump up an initial investment of $25 million, according to a former CEO. 

Businessman Tony Sage's 17-year tenure at the club ended at the weekend when the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced the club had gone into receivership.

APL chief executive Danny Townsend said the focus was finding a safe pair of hands to take the club forward.

"There are a lot of people in Perth we are talking to at the moment, who are interested in taking that club forward," he told Stan Shaw on ABC Perth Breakfast while paying tribute to Sage.

Mr Townsend did not rule out the prospect of foreign investment and guaranteed it would be business as usual at the club until a new owner is found.

"We've already got the City Football Group, Manchester City owning the Melbourne City Club, [the] 777 Partners who own a bunch of clubs around the world investing in Melbourne Victory," he said.

"So, we see the international investor market as being pretty buoyant right now. The enterprise value growth of A-League franchises is all ahead of us – so it will probably be a mixture of local investment and international investment."

Scott Gooch, a former CEO of the Perth Glory and sports industry consultant, said the new owner could be asked for an initial investment of $25 million.

"My understanding is the A-League is keen on growth, and there's going to be two new licences coming into the competition in the next few years and another two in the years following," he told Nadia Mitsopoulos on ABC Perth Mornings.

"With the private investment in the APL right now from the American company Silverlake they're looking at each of those licences to be an outright $25 million each.

"Now for someone to invest in Perth Glory, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but if a new licence is on the table … for $25 million each then you would think … they might be looking for a similar amount."

COVID-19 and club relocation blamed

Mr Sage said he was proud of his family's contribution to football in WA and his only regret was not achieving the ultimate success.

He blamed the financial impact of COVID-19 and a forced relocation from the CBD to Macedonia Park in Perth's northern suburbs for his decision to part with the club.

The Glory moved from their usual home venue, Perth Rectangular Stadium, for 10 games last season while upgrades were made ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

"My family has invested millions into the club to put competitive men's, women's and youth teams on the pitch to represent this great club and our state and provide a genuine football pathway for all aspiring WA footballers," Mr Sage said.

"I have often referred to Perth Glory as my fourth child and that provides an insight into just how profoundly difficult it is for me to step away."

Government not 'bailing out a business'

WA Sports Minister David Templeman rejected the suggestion the government was to blame.

"We commissioned an independent report, from Deloitte, to look at what financial support was required by the government to compensate for those challenges," he told ABC Perth Mornings.

"That report highlighted that the government's payments of just over a million dollars were appropriate.

"The government's made the decision that further compensation of Glory was not warranted and in the best interest of the taxpayer, we aren't in the business of bailing out what is essentially a business." 

Mr Templeman said the government was open to working with the new owner of the club to see what role they could play in the State Football Centre.

A new owner for the Glory is expected to be announced within 10 weeks.