Derby County reaction given to Turki Alalshikh news - David Clowes 'trust' mentioned | OneFootball

Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh is in talks to invest in Derby County as he looks to get involved in English football.

Derby County are set for a huge summer window as they look to build on the impressive season they enjoyed under John Eustace.

Whilst there was disappointment at missing out on the top six on the final day, it’s clear the Rams have made progress in recent years, and Derby will feel they could be beneficiaries of the new play-off format in play from next season.

Yet, the Championship is shaping up to be extremely competitive, and the East Midlands outfit may struggle to compete financially with some of the big hitters in the division.

Turki Alalshikh in advanced talks over Derby County investment

But, that could be about to change, as it has been reported that Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh is looking to invest in the Championship side.

Alalshikh has transformed boxing in recent years, with his funding ensuring that some of the biggest fights on the planet have taken place, and he is now looking to get involved in English football.

Even though squad cost ratio rules would prevent outrageous spending, Alalshikh’s involvement would significantly change the landscape in terms of the budget available to Eustace.

With the Independent Football Regulator now performing the necessary checks, it appears a potential deal is at an advanced stage.

Therefore, it’s no surprise Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward was excited about the prospect of Alalshikh arriving, even if he did express concerns given the history of the club. But, the overriding feeling was that owner and lifelong fan David Clowes must be trusted with whatever he decides to do.

“My heart tells me this is a brilliant move to the club, to have a billionaire that could really invest into the club, to help us try and reach the Premier League,” Shaun said.

“Yet, my head tells me we’ve been down this road before with Mel Morris, we chucked money at it, and it didn’t work - we almost lost the club. So, we’ve got to be really careful.

“However, I really trust David Clowes. If he feels it’s the right move for the club, and it can take us forward, I fully back him in whatever he decides to do. Whether that’s to keep the club, to stay on the board or to relinquish full power. I really do believe he will do it with the best interests of the club at heart, and he will make sure he has done his homework, and he wouldn’t do anything to put the club in jeopardy.

“If this man does come in, I will believe it’s great for the club because Clowes has allowed it.”

Derby County will be dreaming of a bright future

Most would agree with the view that Clowes should be trusted, as it won’t be forgotten that he saved the club from the brink in 2022, and, as a fan, he always acts in the interest of the club.

The prospect of Alalshikh’s investment is going to excite supporters, as whilst Clowes deserves so much credit for the backing he has given Eustace, the reality is that he has limitations in the financial backing he can provide.

Obviously, Alalshikh is on a different level in that sense, and that investment that he provides could open the door to a higher calibre of player in the summer window.

That will be the dream for Derby, as they have proven this season that there is a lot of quality in the squad, but they do need additions if they are to compete for a top eight place next season.

So, it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming weeks and months, and, if Alalshikh does buy the club, Derby could be a real force in the Championship promotion race.