How Turki Alalshikh made his money amid Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday takeover chatter | OneFootball

Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh has emerged as a potential investor in English football

Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh has emerged as a potential investor in English football - with the Daily Mail reportedly linking him to Millwall and suggestions from Simon Jordan to target Sheffield Wednesday.

The 43-year-old Riyadh Season mogul boasts an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion - FLW uncovers just how exactly he built this eye-watering fortune.

The foundations of Turki Alalshikh's billion-dollar empire

Turki Alalshikh's wealth comes primarily from his positions in Saudi government and his role in their economic diversification strategy.

He's been chairman of the General Entertainment Authority since 2018 - and is behind the Vision 2030 initiative, a programme which aims to reduce the country's dependence on oil by focusing on the entertainment industry.

Alalshikh graduated from King Fahd Security College in 2001 with the rank of lieutenant and has built up his wealth through progressing his career within the Saudi power structures.

Subsequently, being appointed as an advisor at ministerial rank to the Saudi Royal Court has been what allows him to be at the heart of the kingdom's decision-making.

The man he is advising is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - a relationship that developed during the prince's late teens - which basically explains why Alalshikh is allowed all these resources for the earlier-mentioned initiative.

Alalshikh has previous experience in football club investment amid Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday talk

He previously owned shares in Egyptian team - fittingly named Pyramids FC - but only for a year, from 2018 to 2019. More recently, he owned Spanish second-tier side Almeria, but sold the club to an investment group from his native Saudi.

Alalshikh is more familiar in the world of boxing media though, purchasing the most popular publication the sport has - The Ring magazine, and he has also been elected Chairman of the Board for the Saudi Boxing Federation - he certainly seems to be everywhere.

Millwall have apparently entered talks with Alalshikh, as per the Daily Mail. There's no questioning that the East London club - who finished eighth in the Championship this past season - could be a great opportunity for someone wanting to get involved in English football.

Former Crystal Palace owner, Simon Jordan, revealed on talkSPORT that Alalshikh is actively exploring the possibility of purchasing an English club - with the former recommending Sheffield Wednesday.

Seeing as he likes to be everywhere at once, the potential for Alalshikh to invest in either club is not a surprise. Building his wealth through positions in government and sport/entertainment ventures, it's hard to see him staying content with what he's already got.