Skysports. Unnamed Prem club bought by Arab

[wizgell]

An unnamed English Premier League club has been bought by a member of the ruling family in the United Arab Emirates, according to the WAM news agency.
The report, released on Sunday, claims Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Customs and Seaports, has acquired a 60 per cent stake in a Premier League club.
It has also been reported Sheikh Ahmed will be made the honorary chairman of the club, once the takeover is complete.
If the deal does go through the unnamed club will become the second top flight outfit to be Middle East owned, following on from Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mansour's takeover at Manchester City.
Portsmouth are also in the process of being taken over by another Abu Dhabi investor, with Sulaiman al-Fahim bidding to take charge at Fratton Park.
The WAM report states that more details of any potential deal are to be released at a press conference in the next few days.


Any ideas? Don't think its us.

 

[EmperorKabir]

won't be us... but hmmmm....... bolton?

i really dunno

 

[punky]

Liverpool maybe? Both Gillette and Hicks want out and they have huge debts they are struggling to manage.

 

[Kingellesar]

Maybe it's Newcastle?

....

 

[SpursMad]

Maybe it's Newcastle?

....

It said Premiership club. Not former Premiership club. :rofl:

 

[DFF]

Er, West Ham?

 

[Bronno]

Everton fans seem to think its them. But I'm increasingly concerned it could be us.

As I mentioned in Spurs chat, Wiki has Joe Lewis down as owning 60% of THFC. So couldn't this chap just be buying Joe Lewis out? And as somebody else said, it suggests he will be honorary chairman, which would allow Levy and his 25% stake to remain in place, something he has always suggested he'd want to do should the club be sold.

We've also been involved in that area of the world a lot recently, looking to sell the naming rights of the new stadium, which would give ample opportunity for discussions to take place and potentially explain how its remained relatively secret.

 

[Dibby]

I'd be willing to bet it's Liverpool.

I'd say Gillett used this sale to ease their debts and seal a deal

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8111715.stm

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Fulham might be a reasonable shout. Al Fayed's been banging on about not being able to compete financially, they're in Europe, and London-based, bit of history.

Would think the Merseyside clubs are likeliest but FFC are a decent outside bet.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Interesting. It could be us. We have had negotiations in the Middle East a lot this year about the new stadium and sponsorship etc. It wouldn't shock me at all if a wealthy Sheikh had taken huge interest in the plans for the club and decided that is was a worthwhile option.

I would imagine we were right near the top of the list of clubs to invest in along with Liverpool. Can't really see it being Everton, Arsenal are into Russian money I think, and most other clubs have already been taken over.

It is definately better a Middle Eastern investment than a US investment or Russian. The 'honorary chairman' role would still potentially leave Levy in charge of the day to day, which is a good thing.

I think it wouldn't be all that bad and could certainly help with the stadium funding etc. The Ras Stadium? :shrug:

 

[dickyid]

I was in Ras al Khaimah at the weekend. The old town is pretty run down, but they've got some ambition there. It's a fairly quiet Emirate but they've spent a fortune on a really nice mall, a lovely golf course resort, and have a large luxury development being built along the shore there. Not sure how much money they have as they're not an oil-rich Emirate but they have a lot of industry there, and they are building an international airport too. Lots of American ex-pats there if the golf course was anything to go by.

IOMLS - It'll be the RAK Stadium if anything which doesn't sound as bad.

 

[nstream]

Rumours on the stock market says that it could very well be us... There are a number of delayed transactions against our share price that have yet to clear... normally caused by large blocks of shares trading hands subject to approvals...

But then its probably not us... if it is... i don't know if it is a good or bad thing... my money is on Blackburn (I'm not very good at gambling mind)

 

[PT]

Moose on Talk Sport said it isn't West Ham according to his contact within the club.

Blackburn, Everton, Fulham and bolton are all more likely candidates than Spurs. I can't see ENIC cashing in just yet without realising the potential value of a new stadium financing the fortunes of a revitalised football team.

 

[Bobishism]

West Ham have been spending quite a bit for a club with no money. I think its them.

 

[PT]

West Ham have been spending quite a bit for a club with no money. I think its them.

Haven't they just been bought by an Icelandic bank though? A bank that received state money last year to prevent another bank from going under.