Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh ready to buy ex-Premier League club – but rules out crisis side Sheffield Wednesday
SAUDI ARABIAN boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is reportedly interested in buying one of two English clubs.
It was claimed last week that Alalshikh had taken part in talks with Championship side Millwall ahead of a potential bid.
However, the Lions denied that discussions were held.
Officials also insisted the club was not for sale.
With a bid for Millwall understood to be off the table, talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan revealed that Alalshikh has now turned his interest to recently-relegated Southampton.
Jordan also admitted that he put the idea of buying Sheffield Wednesday to him amid unrest over the club’s current ownership.
However, the Saudi boxing mogul refused.
The talkSPORT presenter explained: “No it’s not talk, they are interested because they’ve told me.
“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.
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“He doesn’t want a club in the north. He wants a club in the south. And Millwall and Southampton are the two clubs that he thinks are interesting to him.”
It is understood that several English clubs have sounded Alalshikh out over a potential takeover.
The 43-year-old has become a prominent figure in the boxing world in recent years, brokering some of the biggest fights in the sport.
His role as chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority means he has varied business interests.
Having recently sold LaLiga 2 side Almeria, he is now looking to buy a club in the Premier League or Championship.
Southampton were relegated from the Prem this season after finishing 12th in the table.
The Saints appointed Will Still as their new manager at the weekend.