The truth over Bristol City, Turki Alalshikh takeover talks revealed | OneFootball

Bristol City's CEO has discussed the future of the ownership structure of the club

Bristol City CEO Tom Rawcliffe has confirmed that the club held investment talks with Turki Alalshikh earlier this year.

The Robins have been put up for sale, which led to speculation that the Saudi Arabian could get involved in the ownership structure in some capacity.

However, no deal came to fruition, with Alalshikh posting on X in September that he will not be buying the Championship side.

The Lansdown family currently own Bristol City, who finished sixth in the second division table last season under Liam Manning.

Steve Lansdown has held a majority share in the south west outfit since 1996, but his time in charge could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Bristol City truth over Turki Alalshikh takeover talks has been revealed

Rawcliffe has confirmed that Bristol City held talks with Alalshikh over a potential investment, but reiterated that they will only do business with the right investor.

He’s claimed that a number of parties have come forward with interest in the club, but that nothing is currently imminent, even with the Robins open to work with both potential minority and majority investors.

"Yes, we had conversations with him [Alalshikh] and we are up for investment but it has to be the right investment," said Rawcliffe, via the BBC.

"It's no secret that we're looking for investment whether that is a minority or majority.

"It's going to happen at some stage but the Lansdown family are not going to be here forever and we've got to prepare ourselves. We don't know what's going to happen in the future.

"At the moment there's nothing imminent, but we are well backed.

"We've had interest from all over the world.

"Predominantly with football clubs and who is buying right now it tends to be US or Middle East-based backers and so we've had interest from both of those, but we haven't come overly close."

Alalshikh currently oversees Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s ventures into sport, and is heavily involved with their investment into boxing, promoting some of the biggest fights in the world.

Ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan revealed back in May that Alalshikh was also looking at Southampton and Millwall, with a preference for a club in the south of the country as opposed to the north.

However, nothing has come to fruition just yet, with the Saudi entertainment mogul's wait to get involved with a British football club continuing - he does have past experience though overseas with Spanish side Almeria, as well as a foray into the Egyptian game with Pyramids FC.

Bristol City are an attractive proposition for investment - Turki Alalshikh may be missing out on a big opportunity

The Lansdown family have built Bristol City into an attractive investment opportunity, as it is a club that is on the cusp of being able to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Their sixth place finish last season was their best league result in 17 years, and their form this campaign suggests they could be in the mix again for a play-off place under Struber, if they are consistent between now and the end of the season.

The Robins have a loyal support that show up at Ashton Gate every week, and the club have also been able to produce exciting talents with Premier League quality like Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo.

While Alalshikh may not be the ideal investor, there are also a number of other individuals who could potentially come in and give Bristol City that last push they need to grow into a top flight side.

That Premier League promotion is a long time coming, and whilst it doesn't look as though Saudi money will be arriving at Ashton Gate anytime soon, perhaps Alalshikh is missing out on a big opportunity.