Petro-football EPL vs Union Berlin, a club with 1/300 Manchester City's Budget

Around 8.07 pm London (February 17th, 2023), Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of Qatari bank QIB, has announced he has submitted a bid to buy Manchester United.

In previous years, Gulf funds had a reputation for snapping up trophy assets. Now, they are being more tactical — using their wealth to claim a bigger role on the world stage, diversify their economies and win geopolitical influence. In the UK, not only land or mansion, as a target “ultra rich” sultanate(s), emir(s) from the Middle East. Middle Eastern buyers accounted for 11% of property transactions in some of London’s most prestigious postcodes — putting them just behind investors from Europe and the UK. For example, Qatar Investment Authority becomes the Swiss bank’s second largest shareholder — just behind the Saudi National Bank. Hedge fund Brevan Howard opens an office in Abu Dhabi and plans to relocate several senior executives to lead its expansion in the Middle East.

After Manchester City and Newcastle United, in the next 6 months from now, maybe the new owners of Manchester United and Liverpool will be from the Middle East. Middle Eastern investors are now harder to win over and quick to reject deals that don’t fit with their goals of nation building or generating returns. Qatar Sports Investments are ramping up efforts to find another team to minority-invest in this year. They're actively talking to EPL clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur. 

Nasser Al-Khelaifi (already owned PSG) met with Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy earlier January 2023 to hold an exploratory meeting. QSI assured that the only club directly engaged with to date is Spurs. Told there is an "open mind" on (another plan QSI acquired) Manchester United but no formal talks have taken place yet. Spurs may be open to an even higher 15% acquired with other groups, although again the club deny any ongoing talks regarding equity of the club with anyone. But QSI want to keep minority investment at a club of the size (and value) of Spurs smaller. (Before Al-Thani tonight - London time) About Manchester United, QSI haven't yet approached Raine Group, who are handling the Manchester United sale process. But they are certainly keeping a close eye on the situation. 

There will be interest from Saudi Arabia (at least: Turki Al-Sheikh, owner of Almeria, a club in La Liga Spain), too, and that's partly why QSI are following developments with keen interest. Mohammed El Khereji (owner Saudi Media Group), who tried to buy Chelsea and also was essential in raising the funds necessary to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr, is another name to watch over the coming weeks. QSI have held no talks with Liverpool. There remains nothing concrete between Liverpool and Qatar more broadly either. Lots of excitement surrounding QIA, but if they do move Al-Khelaifi would likely lead on it and he's not held any talks with Liverpool or FSG / Fenway Sports Group Holdings, LLC as owner of Liverpool. 

QSI (Qatar Sport Investment) and QIA (Qatar Investment Authority) are separate entities, and the explanation about QSI and QIA in wikipedia is actually wrong. So if QIA did move it would technically be possible, although Al-Khelaifi does sit on the QIA board. But right now there's nothing significant in links between QIA and Liverpool.

QSI interest in a Premier League club doesn't call into question their commitment to PSG. QSI just want more clubs in their portfolio following their 23% stake in Braga (Portuguese Club). They will also look to invest in South America in 2023. PSG will also sell a minority stake (5-15%) to at least one investor by the second quarter of 2023. Three credible suitors have emerged, all valuing the club at over €4bn. Told other groups have since "come out the woodwork" as well. Of the main three suitors, though, one group is undertaking due diligence and in a more advanced position. Selling a stake is seen as "strategic" rather than a post-World Cup exit strategy. 

QSI is in for a very ambitious 2023. They plan to be active on the market and their exploratory talks with Spurs show they are moving already. With massive funds owned by QSI, may have triggered why Harry Kane, still zero win of all competition, may still insist to stay in Tottenham Hotspur. The England captain currently has a deal at Tottenham Hotspur until the summer of 2024, but Kane will reportedly enter talks with the club after the January transfer window. The report adds that Kane's priority is to stay and succeed with Tottenham Hotspur.

Bloomberg already reported that Qatar is really eyeing Manchester United. After hosting the World Cup, Qatar appears interested in adding another global trophy asset, not only (current) Paris Saint-Germain. The acquisition would leave the world’s fourth- and fifth-biggest clubs by revenue in the hands of Qatar state-linked investors. That would raise hackles across Europe. All that money spent down the years but PSG are an ordinary team unless Mbappé is on the field, as last night against Bayern showed in front of the watching emir of Qatar (Feb 14th, 2023). Qatar Airways did not hold talks with Bayern over a new deal. The club suspects it's a reaction from the Qataris to Germany's stance at the WC. Should the deal be extended, Bayern are considering using a part of the income to improve workers' conditions in Qatar.

In Germany, still debate about how to decrease gap of income to the Bundesliga clubs (especially) compared with English Premier League. Prize Money every year Bayern wins Bundesliga (at least since 2015) only bigger if compared with 14th-20th in EPL.

Incredible to think that for years, we’ve been told that the only way for a club from Germany’s East to compete with the Bundesliga is to sell its soul to an Austrian energy drink giant (Red Bull Leipzig). Enter Union Berlin, a club democratically owned by no one other than its 49,000 members, currently number 2 in Bundesliga, still playing in UEL (2nd tier European Champions League, after UCL. FC Union Berlin’s transfer budget only 1/60 FC Bayern (6th biggest football club in the world by revenue). In extreme, 1/300 transfer budget of Manchester City, the biggest football club by revenue 2023. Currently, FC Union Berlin with at least biggest sponsor from adidas, an apparel only 4 miles from FC Bayern. SC Freiburg, too, are 100% democratically owned by their members, currently number 4th in Bundesliga table.