Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh gives update on shock takeover of Championship club

The Saudi Arabian promoter, Turki Alalshikh, has come out to dismiss reports that he was poised to buy Bristol City. Foreign investment has continued to come into English sport and the Championship outfit had been linked with a change of ownership.

Bristol City have been in the Championship for the majority of the past two decades and have enjoyed a stellar start to the season. After six games they sit third with manager Gerhard Struber beginning life impressively after Liam Manning, who led them to the play-offs last term, left for pastures new.

The Robins have been owned by their current regime, which is led by local businessman Steve Lansdown, since 2002. The millionaire has made City an established second tier side and redeveloped Ashton Gate, but he's looking to cut down his development.

Despite reports though Alalshikh has come out on social media and dismissed the idea of purchasing the Championship side. He said: "It is not true that I will buy Bristol City FC".

READ MORE: Liverpool left with limited transfer options after Giovanni Leoni injury blow

READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes moment of class after losing bet to young Man Utd teammate

Alalshikh, who is the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, has poured millions into the hosting of high-profile sporting events in his homeland.

Saudi Arabia's current involvement in England is with Newcastle United. Their fortunes have turned the Magpies around and they've broken the club-record transfer on several occasions, which helped Eddie Howe's side win the Carabao Cup last term and become a Champions League outfit.

71-year-old Lansdown sold the women’s team to Mercury 13 earlier this year. He made his money from his financial servicing company and is the Bristol Sport group owner. That includes Premiership Rugby's Bristol Bears, who are immensely well supported in the city, and the basketball side.

Bristol City have never played in the Premier League. The closest they came was back in 2008 when they reached the Championship play-off final, losing to Hull City. There are immense riches on offer in the top flight, leading to a huge clamour from Championship sides to get there.

Owner Lansdown has maintained he will not throw huge money at his squad simply to reach the Premier League. Back in May he said: "You can only spend what you've got and you can't just keep on chasing the dream and throwing money at it. We've already been down that road and it didn't work, and I think if you look at all our times we've been successful what we've done is build a team."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.