Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Bristol City takeover news - "very exciting times" claim made | OneFootball

The Sky Sports pundit feels that exciting times are on the horizon at Ashton Gate

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that the news surrounding Turki Alalshikh's interest in purchasing Bristol City is an incredibly exciting prospect for Robins fans.

The Saudi Arabian businessman has registered an interest in buying a Championship side for over a month now, and Alan Nixon has reported that Bristol City have joined the list previously occupied by Millwall and Southampton.

Alalshikh, whose net worth amounts to an estimated £2.14 billion, has been one of the most influential names in recent boxing history, bringing the likes of Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua to fight on his shows in Saudi Arabia.

And if he uses his wealth and persuasion to invest heavily in Bristol City, then the future looks incredibly bright at Ashton Gate.

At least, that's the opinion of former Aston Villa midfielder, Lee Hendrie, who believes that it's "hard not to be excited" about the prospects of a Saudi Arabian takeover at Bristol City.

Lee Hendrie gives his opinion on potential Turki Alalshikh, Bristol City takeover

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, EFL pundit Lee Hendrie stated that a potential takeover by Turki Alalshikh at Bristol City "would be brilliant for the football club."

"They've been in real need of actually injecting and pushing on and taking those next steps," he said.

Hendrie shared in the obvious excitement across Robins fans at the prospect of being taken over by a successful multi-billionaire, saying, "When you get wealthy owners in with the drive to take a football club forward, it's hard not to be excited as a fan."

"I'm sure Bristol City fans will be absolutely ecstatic.

"If they come in, deliver and invest, I think they could push on, so yes, very exciting times for Bristol City at the moment."

Turki Alalshikh's investment could truly drive Bristol City forward

Current Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown is a billionaire in his own right. He has been involved in the club since 1996 and became chairman in 2002.

Throughout his time at the club, it has been estimated that Lansdown has personally invested around £280 million into Bristol City.

However, connotations surrounding Middle Eastern investment in football teams usually involve even more money to spend and plenty of excitement around the club, seen through the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle United.

Lansdown's net worth actually dwarfs the estimated net worth of Alalshikh, with the Guernsey man's net worth clocking in at $3.1 billion, according to Forbes. However, the current Robins owner has said that the level of funding he's putting into the club isn't something he wants to "keep doing."

And that ultimately is where someone like Turki Alalshikh can come in, invest heavily and propel Bristol City into a side where a Championship top-six finish doesn't come once every couple of decades or so.

Robins fans will be hoping that Alan Nixon's reports have legs, because if they do, then we could be entering a truly exciting era at Ashton Gate soon enough.