In a major development, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may be interested in buying a stake in Barcelona.
El Chiringuito’s Francois Gallardo says the Saudi crown prince is ready to bid €10 billion for Barcelona.
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This would be in line with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to further expand into the sports sector through direct investment or the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
€10 billion for Barcelona: a viable offer?
Gallardo pointed out that Barcelona’s debt exceeds 2.5 billion euros and is difficult to repay.
With this in mind, the Saudi crown prince is preparing to bid €10 billion for Barcelona, which would theoretically give him full control of the club.
However, such a deal is not possible, at least not for clubs run by social organizations like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud is interested in buying Barcelona. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
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Barcelona as an entity is owned by its associations or members and they will never allow the club to be acquired by a foreign entity. Gallardo also emphasized this point.
Although technically the Saudi Arabian Investment Fund could invest in FC Barcelona if it split off its entertainment arm, this would not give the PIF control over the club’s day-to-day operations.
Real Madrid are reportedly considering a similar strategy, with Florentino Perez willing to split the club’s entertainment and football divisions and allow investors to invest in the entertainment arm.
This may also be the only way for PIF to invest in Barcelona. But beyond that, it would be almost unthinkable for Barcelona to be taken over outright by a foreign entity, let alone a PIF.