Finance guru: Saudi investors to snub Liverpool as ‘real motive’ for takeover questioned
Liverpool are likely to be snubbed by Saudi investors in favour of arch-rivals Man United.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the possibility of further Saudi investment in the Premier League.
The gulf state’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF, already owns Newcastle United following their £305million takeover in October last year.
The Daily Mail reported last Sunday (27 November) that a private company from Saudi has now entered talks with wantaway Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group.
It is also claimed that a firm with a similar profile from Qatar also has an interest in the Merseysiders.
But it has also been widely reported that Saudi and Qatari groups are also exploring a deal for United.
Plumley explains that investors from the Middle East will likely favour a deal for the Red Devils.
“The need for investment is greater at United,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“There has been nothing done at the ground. Liverpool have already started to do some of that work in terms of expanding the stadium.
“So, it depends on what an owner’s real motive is. If it’s short-term and less based on investment into infrastructure, you pick Liverpool.
“If you’re looking at a bigger club in terms of worldwide football and want to take them back to their former glory, it’s United.
“If it’s a Saudi investor, they would target United. If it’s an American investor, I’d say it is a flip of a coin.”
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