Saudi Arabia’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal has told the BBC that he would ‘definitely support’ takeover bids for Manchester United or Liverpool – but insists private investors must come forward as PIF are full focused on Newcastle.
After both clubs revealed that they are up for sale in recent weeks, the minister has expressed interest from Saudi Arabian private investors to purchase the two most successful English football clubs.
Newcastle received an incredible amount of criticism after the Saudi-backed PIF completed the takeover of the club from Mike Ashley just over a year ago, but it will be interesting to see the narrative of the media should these deals be completed.
Prince Abdulaziz has already stated that any bids would receive the full backing of the government should they make a move and it would certainly be a big statement to attain both clubs.
The 62-year-old also admitted that following these bids, he would like to see the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to one of Saudi Arabia’s teams to increase the number of people watching the division.
On the possible bids, Abdulaziz said: “From the private sector, I can’t speak on their behalf, but there is a lot of interest and appetite and there’s a lot of passion about football. It’s the most-watched league in Saudi and the region and you have a lot of fans of the Premier League.
“We will definitely support it if any [Saudi] private sector comes in, because we know that’s going to reflect positively on sports within the kingdom. But if there’s an investor willing to do so and the numbers add up, why not?”
When asked if he wants to see the clubs bough by Saudi investors, he said: “I hope so – if there are investors and the numbers add up, and it makes a good business. Then the private sector could come in, or companies could come in, from the kingdom.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world. Everyone’s watching the Premier League. It’s the most watched league and there are diehard fans of these teams in the kingdom. So it would be a benefit for everyone.”
Speaking to The Times, he also had this to say when asked if PIF could invest elsewhere:
“PIF just invested in Newcastle and we are focusing on that. They have done an excellent job. They still have a long way to go (but) they have brought the right people on board.
“I’m sure they have targets to win the Premier League and the Champions League and so on, because they strive for the best and always bring the best on board, so I think it’s going to be a bright future for Newcastle.
“If there is a private investor (from Saudi) that wants to come in (and buy Man Utd or Liverpool), why not? But there is a lot of interest.”
