Saudi Arabia wants its investors to own Manchester United and Liverpool

Saudi Arabia says it wants its investors to take over Manchester United and Liverpool – and hopes Cristiano Ronaldo comes to play in its domestic league.

Sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal revealed the country’s latest sporting ambitions in an interview with Sky News — with the sovereign wealth fund already owning Newcastle and now funding a breakaway golf series.

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It is the availability of United — after the Glazers announced plans for a potential sale — and Ronaldo that is interesting Prince Abdulaziz.

He would be keen on Ronaldo signing for a Saudi Pro League team after the World Cup, with the 37-year-old a free agent following a fraught departure this week from United.

“Who wouldn’t want him to play in their league?” Prince Abdulaziz told Sky News. “He’s a role model to a lot of young players — him and Messi.”

Sky Sports News understands Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal are exploring a deal to sign Ronaldo.

The vision would see the Saudi league featuring both Ronaldo and Messi, who is still signed up to Paris Saint-Germain but is already signed up to promote Saudi Arabia.

“That’s benefited a lot in terms of tourism for the kingdom,” Prince Abdulaziz said. “If they can, I’d love to see them both play in the Saudi league.”

Newcastle was bought by the Saudis last year through the Public Investment Fund, which the Premier League claims is not controlled by the government despite being headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Now two other Premier League clubs are on the market — Liverpool and United — and the sports minister wants either — or both — to fall under Saudi ownership.

“I hope so, if there are investors and the numbers add up, and it makes a good business,” he said. “Then the private sector could come in, or companies could come in, from the kingdom.”

He added: “The Premier League is the best league in the world. Everyone’s watching the Premier League. It’s the most watched league and there are diehard fans of these teams in the kingdom. So it would be a benefit for everyone.”

“I can say that we have a strong league. It’s not one of the strongest in Asia. You know, we’re building towards a better future. And we see how the future holds up for that.”

He continued: “And you know, I heard about these speculations in the news as, as everyone else. I don’t have any details about any of the reports that have been coming out. But you know, what I can say is that we have Messi as an ambassador for tourism in the kingdom with the ministry of tourism — and that’s benefited a lot.

“In terms of tourism for the kingdom, if they can, I’d love to see them both play in the Saudi league, and, you know, if top players come into the Saudi league and play that will reinforce the programs that we’re doing.”

Sky News tracked him down near his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he was asked why now was the right time to sell the club.

He said: “As we announced yesterday, the board went through a process and decided it’s going to look at different strategic alternatives — and that’s what we’re doing.”

He repeated the answer when questioned why the club had not been sold earlier and added: “We’ll see where that leads us.”

The Glazers were reportedly furious at the remarks from Cristiano Ronaldo in his recent interview and Ronaldo this week left United by mutual consent.

But Avram Glazer refused to be drawn on the striker’s claim — echoed by many fans — that his family “don’t care about the club.”

He told Sky News: “Well, I’ll tell you about Cristiano Ronaldo — he’s a great Manchester United player, I appreciate everything he’s done for the club and I wish him the best luck in the future.”

How everything has changed in 16 days…

November 8: Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group say they are “open to investors” to come in and help the club – which they remain “fully committed to”. Reports had previously claimed that FSG were open to selling the club.

November 11: Liverpool announce director Mike Gordon, who is FSG’s president, is stepping back from his role amid reports of a club sale.

November 13: Cristiano Ronaldo’s bombshell interview with TalkTV is announced, in which he criticizes Manchester United, the Glazer family and manager Erik ten Hag among others.

November 17: The second part of Ronaldo’s interview is broadcast, in which he claims the Glazers “do not care” about United.

November 22, 5:30pm: After taking legal advice, Manchester United announce they have terminated Ronaldo’s contract at United by mutual consent, with the 37-year-old becoming a free agent.

November 22, 7:30pm: Two hours after Ronaldo’s exit is confirmed, Sky News break the story that the Glazer family are open to selling Manchester United.

November 22, 9:30pm: Two hours later, Manchester United release a statement revealing the Glazers are open to identifying “strategic alternatives… including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company.”

November 23: Reports in the UK claim British billionaire and lifelong Manchester United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has previously expressed his interest in taking over at Old Trafford, will enter the bidding race to buy United.

November 24: Liverpool announce sporting director Julian Ward, who only replaced Michael Edwards in the role a year ago, is set to leave the club at the end of the season. Director of research Ian Graham is also to step away from his role.

November 24: Saudi Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal reveals to Sky News his country’s ambition to take over both Manchester United and Liverpool.