Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Bristol City takeover news - "This could be massive" | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has spoken to FLW about the potential takeover of Bristol City by Turki Alalshikh

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has given his verdict after Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh has recently been linked with a takeover offer of Bristol City.

Bristol City have been on the up over the past 12 months, reaching the play-off places for the first time in 17 years last season.

With the Robins slowly but surely on the up, they will want to replicate that feat once again and could well be spurred on to do so by the potential takeover of the club.

A change in personnel in the dugout at the start of the year did raise eyebrows about whether Bristol City would be able to retain their high performance levels.

However, under the guidance of Gerhard Struber, the Robins sure look to be a promotion contender by sitting in third place with only five games played and with their unbeaten Championship record still intact for the season.

In light of the Robins' current form, journalist Alan Nixon reported via Patreon that Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh is set to make a takeover offer for Bristol City.

Alalshikh had previously been urged to purchase Sheffield Wednesday earlier this year in April, but that didn't come to fruition. With Bristol City on the table for the Saudi man, Ashton Gate could be a much more attractive project for him.

Lee Hendrie reveals that the Turki Alalshikh takeover could be "massive" for Bristol City

Bristol City are currently in a very good spot when it comes to proceedings on the pitch, with the club performing well in the table, the players and manager are on board, and the club seemingly moving in the right direction.

If Alalshikh were to takeover the Robins, the injection of cash to improve an already well-rounded squad could be the difference in keeping the club challenging for those top spots in the Championship table and have the Premier League in their sights in no time.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, ex-Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that only good things will come from the arrival of Alalshikh if a takeover offer is to be presented to the Robins.

Hendrie said: "This could be massive for Bristol City, particularly if this happens and the investments are there. I think it's a very stable football club behind the scenes, training ground, I know they've invested money."

"I think it's been a football club that has probably been stood still for quite some time now. They had a really good season last season getting into the play-offs, but I think when you have potential investors that can maybe come onboard and take them to the next level, it's exciting."

Turki Alalshikh could be the difference in Bristol City's play-off aspirations

After being not much more than a mid-table club in the Championship the thee seasons prior to their play-off campaign last year, the Robins were very much going through the mentions. However, the introduction of a new owner combined with a settled team mixing experience with youth could be a recipe for success for the now and the future.

Hendrie believes that Bristol City aren't too far off being a real force to be reckoned with in the second-tier, as the foundations are there, but the monetary benefits the club would receive from Alalshikh could take the club to the next level.

"I feel like that club has the fanbase, has a relatively good squad at the moment. I just think it might need that extra push that gives them a bit more of an opportunity to really go and secure a play-off spot."