Big Turki Alashikh, Bristol City takeover revelation emerges - He was linked with Millwall FC purchase | OneFootball

According to a new report, Saudi Arabian businessman Turki Alalshikh is interested in a takeover of Bristol City.

It has been reported that Saudi Arabian businessman and boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh is interested in a move to takeover Bristol City.

The Robins are currently embarking upon a new era on the pitch, with former Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber appointed as their new head coach to replace Liam Manning, who has departed for Norwich City this summer.

Manning led Bristol City to a sixth-place finish in the Championship last season as they eventually went on to lose 6-0 aggregate to play-off final runners’ up Sheffield United over two legs, losing both games by three goals to nil.

As the club continues to grow and push towards the top-flight of English football, there is now a suggestion of an injection of cash potentially arriving at Ashton Gate.

Turki Alalshikh wants Bristol City takeover

According to Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, Saudi Arabian businessman Turki Alalshikh is looking into a takeover of Bristol City.

It has been known for a while that Alalshikh has wanted to buy an English club, having previously flirted with the idea of Millwall, as Nixon reports, and he has been ‘checking out’ City.

Nixon goes on to suggest there has not been a hint of the current owners, the Lansdown family, wanting to sell the club and it could well be that they reject any approaches – but it is believed that Alalshikh has a hefty financial backing.

The Bristolian Lansdown family, headed up by Steve Lansdown, who is also the majority shareholder in Bristol Bears and Bristol Flyers, have been involved with the club since 1996 when Steve joined the board.

Alalshikh is currently the owner of Spanish second division outfit Almeria, and he has become a prominent figure in the sport of boxing, playing a key role in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and some of the most sought-after fights and fighters in recent years.

As well as his reported interest in Millwall, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan told Alalsheikh, having supposedly been asked the question, that his suggestion for buying an English club would be Sheffield Wednesday, as well as revealing that he is interested in Southampton.

Bristol City pushing for the top

Coming from one of England’s biggest cities, it would be fair to suggest that Bristol City are a so-called ‘sleeping giant’, with last season’s play-off qualification their first finish in the top six of the Championship since they reached the play-off final back in 2008.

In terms of their business done so far this summer, aside from the appointment of Struber, they have brought in Adam Randell from Plymouth Argyle for a fee believed to be in the region of £750,000.

However, it has been rumoured that club captain and Republic of Ireland international Jason Knight is the subject of interest from Everton and that his departure seems almost inevitable at this stage.

An influx of cash from the ultra-wealthy Alalshikh could be welcomed by Bristol City supporters as they seek to sustain another promotion challenge next season, but go a few steps further under the management of Struber.