The Prime Minister alongside the UK’s Sport Minister have both been speaking about the country’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and the importance of it
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given his ‘indirect’ approval already to Saudi Media’s Chelsea takeover bid with his ‘relationship’ admission between the UK and Middle Eastern partners.
This follows on from Nigel Huddleston’s recent admission on Saudi Arabia which has both bolstered and boosted Saudi Media’s claimed £2.7billion bid to takeover from Roman Abramovich. The likes of Nick Candy and Todd Boehly’s consortium amongst a few others had been heavily touted around the English press over the last few weeks but Mohamed Al Khereiji and his friend Al Saud’s bid has gone slightly under the radar so far.
With regards to Saudi Media’s rumoured interest in buying Chelsea, CBS Sports claim that there is support in finding funding and partners (but not financial backing) from Mohammed bin Khalid Al Saud. It is also understood in the English media that the rather unknown consortium have a long way to go before submitting an official offer to the Raine Group before this Friday’s bid deadline surpasses.
However, they will be rather encouraged by what has been said by Johnson and Huddleston regarding the important ‘relationship’ this country has with Saudi Arabia and the need for it to continue in a strong matter in the near and long-term future. Speaking at a special media interview in the United Arab Emirates, the Prime Minister indirectly fuelled the Saudi Media’s hopes of buying Chelsea with his direct admission about their country.
He said: “Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are key international partners…We have long, long standing relationships with this part of the world and we need to recognise the very important relationship that we have.” Huddlestone, despite agreeing with the sanction made against the Russian oligarch, just like Johnson, also spoke highly about the current relationship dynamics with Saudi Arabia when posed a difficult question about Newcastle’s Saudi owners.
“The UK’s relationship with Saudi Arabia is really important,” said Huddleston via the Guardian. Saudi Arabia is an important partner of the UK in investment, intelligence and culture.
“We welcome Saudi Arabian investment. Many, many jobs in the UK are dependent on our relationship with the Saudis but we take the opportunity to talk frankly and openly with Saudi Arabia. We can have frank exchanges because of the nature of our relationship.”
These two admissions will come as music to the ears of some Chelsea supporters, but to other fans and the likes of Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Thomas Tuchel himself, who expressed concern over the PIF Investment Fund headed by Amanda Staveley, there could be a long way to go.