‘It is not true’ – Turki Alalshikh dismisses claims he will buy EFL club
Turki Alalshikh has taken to social media to deny claims that he is set to buy Bristol City.
Alalshikh, who is the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, is responsible for bringing some of sport’s biggest events to his homeland.
In recent years, boxing, MMA, WWE, Formula 1 and LIV Golf have all become regular fixtures in the Saudi sporting calendar.
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With the 2034 World Cup also set to take place in the land, it seems Alalshikh has further plans to invest in football.
Is Turki Alalshikh investing in football?
Earlier this summer, Alalshikh was rumoured to looking for a way into the English game.
This was then confirmed by talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, who revealed the businessman was interested in buying either of Championship sides Southampton and Millwall.
The billionaire was also spotted commenting on a post from the Lions’ main social media channel.
Jordan confirmed he had even offered his advice to the Saudi boxing chief, having also suggested he consider investing in Sheffield Wednesday.
Speaking in May, Jordan said: “I’ve told him and tried to talk him out of Millwall because I don’t think it’s a proper football club, but that’s a different discussion.
“But it is Millwall, and he likes Southampton. I suggested Sheffield Wednesday to him. He doesn’t want Sheffield Wednesday.”
But with no further progress being made on this front, Alalshikh then found himself linked Bristol City earlier this month.
Journalist Alan Nixon reported via his Patreon that the boxing promoter was preparing a bid to purchase the Robins from the Lansdown family.
But Alalshikh has quickly shut these rumours down, as he took to social media to clear things up.
He wrote on X: “It is not true that I will buy Bristol City FC.”
Even after the 43-year-old’s comments, it arguably isn’t surprising that to hear that Bristol City won’t be changing owners any time soon.
In February, long-time chairman Steve Lansdown played down any potential takeover at Ashton Gate, claiming it was ‘not close’.
On paper, it isn’t hard to see why potential investors would be considering City.
The Reds made it to the Championship play-off semi-finals last term, but missed out on Wembley after a heavy defeat to Sheffield United.
They have made a strong start to this season, and currently sit third in the second tier with 11 points from their opening six games.
Gerhard Struber’s side have lost just once so far, with their first defeat coming against Oxford United at Ashton Gate last weekend.
With Alalshikh now distancing himself from rumours linking him with the club, City will be looking to put in a strong performance this weekend in their league match against Preston North End.
