Why Turki Alalshikh's Derby County takeover move has 'raised concerns' | OneFootball

Turki Alalshikh has been linked with an investment into Derby County

Derby County will be aiming to compete for promotion to the Premier League next season under John Eustace.

The Rams finished eighth in the Championship table in 2025/26, coming four points behind sixth place Hull City.

However, the play-offs are expanding to include two more teams from the next campaign, so another top eight finish will be enough to contend for a position in the top flight.

Derby haven’t competed at the highest level of English football since 2008, so Eustace will be keen to bolster his squad this summer to boost their chances for the upcoming year.

Bobby Clark has already joined on a permanent basis after his loan spell last season, with Charlie Taylor and Filip Bilbija also joining.

However, it’s now being reported that Turki Alalshikh is closing in on an investment into the club, which could shake up their remaining transfer plans.

Why Turki Alalshikh investment into Derby County has raised concerns

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Alalshikh has been circling English football for quite some time, and has been linked with numerous clubs in the past, including Bristol City.

However, nothing has yet come to fruition, with no agreement yet confirmed with Derby either despite takeover talks.

The Saudi Arabian has built his reputation in the United Kingdom through his involvement as a boxing promoter.

But Amnesty International have raised concerns regarding his move into football ownership due to his close ties to the leader of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman.

MBS has received criticism for his poor record on human rights, his treatment of women and its anti-LGBTQ+ stance.

The leader was also accused in 2018 of ordering the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Felix Hakens, head of campaigns at the human rights group, has called on the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to step in and prevent someone with such close ties to the Saudi regime from entering the sport.

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"Will it allow a senior representative of a government directly implicated in mass human rights violations to take control of one of the country's oldest football clubs?

“The regulator must ask these questions and answer them transparently.

"The serious questions surrounding Saudi involvement in sport anywhere in the world are just as relevant here.

"Al-Sheikh is not a private businessman.

“He is the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority.”

Derby County ownership situation

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Derby went into administration during the 2021/22 campaign following significant financial mismanagement by owner Mel Morris.

The Rams suffered relegation to League One as a consequence, but were eventually taken over by David Clowes.

The local businessman has led the club back to the Championship, with the team narrowly missing out on a play-off place in 2025/26 under his ownership.

However, he is reportedly open to the sale of some or all of his stake in the Derbyshire outfit, which has opened the door for Alalshikh.

It remains to be seen whether Clowes will reach an agreement with the Saudi Arabian regarding a partial or total takeover of the club.

It is unclear how much Alalshikh is willing to invest into the first team at this stage, or if the deal will be approved by the IFR.

But it has been claimed that the EFL have given their seal of approval for talks to continue between the two parties.

The IFR, which was established earlier this year by the UK government, has taken over the role of overseeing the final approval of club takeovers.