What is really going on with Turki Alalshikh and a potential Bristol City takeover? | OneFootball

Football League World brings all of the new surrounding Turki Alalshikh's interest in taking over at Bristol City.

Despite losing for the first time this season last weekend, Bristol City have started fantastically under Gerhard Struber, with the Robins sitting in third place after six games.

However, fresh details have continued to emerge regarding a takeover in recent weeks, with Saudi Arabian boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh carrying an interest in buying the club.

The interest has been common knowledge for some time, with claims also being made about a potential Millwall interest in May.

With all the latest details in mind, FLW brings you all the latest news about what could be a pending takeover at Ashton Gate.

Takeover is close - and Alalshikh makes a flying visit

Alan Nixon reported last week that Alalshikh was close to making an official bid for the purchase of Bristol City. This has since been followed up with the promoter paying a visit to Ashton Gate to take a look at the club's facilities and meet with owner Steve Lansdown.

Nixon reports that there should be "no problem" regarding the funds for the purchase, and that "the sellers are also comfortable with their plans so far."

The Robins have been under their current ownership group since 2002, and Nixon added that "weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions" have taken place between Alalshikh and the Lansdown family.

Steve Lansdown reducing football involvement

In 2021, Lansdown revealed that he was open to selling some or all of his stake in Bristol City. While earlier this year, he sold the Robins' women's team to investment group Mercury 13.

Combined with takeover talks, the signs point in the direction of the 71-year-old looking to cut his involvement in football altogether.

Lansdown built his fortune after co-founding financial services company Hargreaves's Lansdown with Peter Hargreaves in 198. He is also the founder of the Bristol Sport group, which includes Bristol City, as well as rugby club Bristol Bears, and basketball club Bristol Flyers.

Lansdown has a staggering net worth of $3.1 billion (£2.3 billion), and it may come as a surprise that the man now interested in taking over carries a smaller net worth of $2.8 billion (£2.06 billion).

Alalshikh has become known for his work as a boxing promoter and for doing a lot of heavy lifting to bring high-profile events to the Middle East.

His involvement in football includes a brief spell as owner of the Egyptian outfit Pyramids between 2018 and 2019, as well as the purchase of Spanish side Almeria, which he sold in May of this year, sparking claims about his EFL interest.

Negotiations move quickly as a deal appears on the cards

As mentioned, Alalshikh's interest in the club became known over the summer; however, recent weeks have seen the pace of a potential deal pick up rapidly.

The Robins haven't featured in the top flight of English football since 1980; however, a strong start to the season has got fans dreaming. This could be something that Alalshikh is looking to build on, and his recent visit to the South West suggests that he is keen on making the switch happen as soon as possible.

It's hardly an ideal time for a change of structure, with Gerhard Struber's side aiming to secure one of the promotion places. However, some added financial backing in January could benefit City tenfold - should they be in and around the race come the season's midpoint.

Bristol is one of England's most recognisable names on the map, and the nation's sixth biggest. And a place that has been starved of top-flight football for the entirety of the modern era.

As of now, a deal looks to be on the cards soon, and Robins supporters will hope that it is something that can launch them to the next level after years of second- and third-tier obscurity.