🏦 Who Is the Saudi Billionaire?
The entrepreneur in question is Turki Alalshikh, 43‑years‑old chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and a prominent figure in global sports, especially boxing. Estimated to have a net worth of over £2 billion, he’s been the driving force behind major fights like Usyk vs. Fury, co‑founded a new boxing league (TKO) with UFC’s Dana White, and orchestrated major tennis events—Riyadh hosted the WTA Finals 2024–2026 and the “Six Kings” exhibition featuring Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz .
🏟️ Target: Championship Clubs in England
Bristol City.
The most recent buzz links him to Bristol City, with “sleeping giants” status at Ashton Gate appealing to his ambitions . The Lansdown family, who own the club, haven’t indicated a willingness to sell yet—but the conversation is happening. Track record shows Alalshikh’s massive financial muscle could result in aggressive investment if a deal went through.
Millwall & Southampton
He’s also been linked with Millwall—after dropping fire and lion emojis on their X channel—and with Southampton . Millwall publicly denies being for sale, though social media engagement sparked intense speculation, with talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan confirming his interest .
Sheffield Wednesday
Simon Jordan has reportedly advised Alalshikh to consider Sheffield Wednesday; fan commentators nearly immediately drew parallels to Wrexham’s transformation, touting similar potential publicity and structural upside .
🔄 A Football Takeover Strategy?
Alalshikh’s pattern seems deliberate—sports‐entertainment mogul making incremental strides into football, focusing on undervalued assets with strong growth potential. Just as PIF’s acquisition of Newcastle ignited fresh investment (amid controversy over “sportswashing”) , Alalshikh could follow a similar path, albeit at the Championship level. His approach—stay south of the Premier League, pick “sleeping giants”, leverage south‐coast markets—signals strategic intent.
🎭 Wrexham’s Hollywood Owners: Reynolds & McElhenney
To fully understand the competitive backdrop, one must examine what Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have achieved:
Acquired Wrexham AFC in February 2021 for around £2 million.
Led the club to three consecutive promotions: National League (2022–23), League Two (2023–24), and League One (2024–25), securing a spot in the Championship .
Club valuation skyrocketed to ~£150 million, representing a staggering ~7,400% increase .
Their takeover sparked a tourism and community revitalization in Wrexham—brewing projects, stadium renovation, Charity initiatives, civic honors—their impact extends far beyond the pitch .
The duo’s combined net worth (~$636 million, or ~£309 million) dwarfs their initial investment and continues to underpin aggressive spending on infrastructure, staff, and transfers .
But their journey isn’t without challenges:
The Wrexham model has stirred debate over the role of billionaire ownership in sporting fairness .
Financial pressures loom—much hinges on their sustained capital injection to compete meaningfully in the Championship, and eventual aspirations for the Premier League .
🔍 Why This Matters: The Rivalry Looms
1. Transfer Market Competition
As Wrexham push into higher tiers, they’re already drawing interest from former Premier League talents. But Saudi‑backed clubs, including Saudi Pro League powerhouses, could swoop in on marquee signings—creating direct bidding war risks.
2. Fanbase and Media Buzz
Wrexham’s rise has demonstrated the magnetic effect of celebrity ownership. Alalshikh, with his sports‐promotion pedigree and capital, could replicate this by injecting media interest, modern facilities, and global reach at another club. Fans have explicitly remarked that he “ticks all the boxes” comparable to Reynolds and McElhenney .
3. Financial Scale & Sustainability
While Wrexham’s growth has been historic, some analysts question their ability to sustain spending without substantial reinvestment or sale—particularly in the Premier League environment . Alalshikh’s vast financial powers could easily outmatch them, presenting both a threat and a new benchmark for Championship-level competitiveness.
4. The Broad Trend of Celebrity & Sovereign Investment
Reynolds and McElhenney are part of a broader shift, where American celebrities (LeBron James, Tom Brady, Michael B. Jordan) are buying clubs . Simultaneously, sovereign capital from Gulf states is reshaping UK football ownership—from Newcastle’s PIF to Alalshikh. Emerging competition isn’t just between individuals—it’s nations and narratives.
⚖️ The Stakes for Wrexham
If Alalshikh targets Bristol City, Millwall, Southampton, or Sheffield Wednesday, he’ll rival Wrexham directly in the Championship, raising the stakes on several fronts:
Player recruitment: Will Wrexham’s strategy hold the line if Alalshikh engages in lavish transfer bids?
Commercial partnerships: Both clubs could battle for sponsorships, global branding and stadium investment.
Media influence: Rival docuseries, promotional deals, fan engagement projects—image and exposure become key battlegrounds.
League positioning: Ultimately, Alalshikh’s club—or Wrexham—could be the one to reach the Premier League first.
🔮 What Happens Next?
Takeover outcomes: Keep an eye on negotiations—Championship dealings can be complex, with club owners cautious of selling.
Investment patterns: Alalshikh is expected to back his acquisition with stadium upgrades and youth academy investment—mirroring Wrexham’s infrastructural commitment.
On-pitch rivalry: Future head‑to‑head Championship fixtures could become high-profile clashes with serious branding implications.
✍️ Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a transfer of club ownership—it might be a pivotal moment in English football’s reshaping, charting how entertainment capital intersects with sporting ambition.
Wrexham, under Reynolds and McElhenney, showed how far belief, community engagement, and strategic investment can lift a club. Now, Alalshikh brings a different type of challenge—global networks, state‑scale financial capacity, and a track record of explosive media events. If he succeeds, Wrexham’s Hollywood fairytale will need to become a battle of new realities—where billionaires, politicians, and media moguls vie for dominance in a renewed European football landscape.