Alalshikh to invest in English football club.
Turki Alalshikh changed the landscape of boxing when he introduced his vision of Riyadh Season to the sport in 2023, this starting with the memorable bout between then-reigning heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Since then, we have been treated to many high-level events with many high-profile names, most recently seeing the dramatic event that was Anthony Joshua’s comeback fight against Kristian Prenga last Saturday.
That bout saw Joshua dropped twice in the first round, almost scuppering a money-spinning match with Tyson Fury later this year. However, Joshua would end matters in the second, successfully battling back from adversity.
But despite what he has done for boxing, Alalshikh has also dabbled in other sports. Football, darts, and snooker are just some of the others he has brought his venture to.
And in his latest non-boxing move, he is now close to finalising an investment in Derby County, the English football club currently playing in the Championship.
This has been a possibility since Alalshikh started discussions with David Clowes (the Derby owner) in May, but it is now reportedly very close to coming to fruition.
Derby themselves are keeping tight-lipped on the situation, with the deal having gone through both the Football League and the Independent Football Regulator.
It is understood that the EFL has given it the green light, with just the IFR’s verdict being waited on. However, despite not having made its decision yet, there is optimism that the deal will be approved.
And should it be, it will certainly be a boost for Derby and their chances of being promoted next season, as the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority often has that sort of impact.
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