Saturday, 10th October 2009
Liverpool may be being eyed by Saudi prince Faisal, and Portsmouth have just been bought by Ali Al-Faraj, but that could just be the start of a Saudi invasion according to the Saudi Gazette.
Prince Faisal is set to resume talks with Liverpool co-owner George Gillett in Saudi Arabia next week, with anywhere from a 25-50% shareholding in the club on the agenda, but this could just be the start if the country’s top football administrator is to be believed. Hafez Al-Medlej is sure more will follow. "In one year’s time, if there was no backfire [from the takeover of Portsmouth and prince Faisal’s Liverpool investment] and everyone is settled, I am sure at least 10 more investors will come."
If Al-Medlej is to be believed though, it won’t just be the Premier League which will benefit from the Saudi invasion: "They might come and buy some clubs at Championship level."
Whilst Championship clubs might seem a strange target for rich Saudi Arabians there is a certain amount of sense behind moves for clubs at this level. "[investors don’t always want] a team of the top league To buy a club from the First Division and bring it up is an even better investment."
Latest Features:
- – Russia v Germany Battle Has Hiddink Searching for Right Formula
- – Poland Left Reflecting on Beenhakker Reign
- – Ireland v Italy is Crunch Time for Trapattoni’s Men
