Leeds United buyout latest: Thursday - The Bahrain Shaikh?

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa – the man who led a failed takeover of Leeds United in 2003 – has been named as a key figure in the Middle Eastern consortium poised to take over at Elland Road.

By The Newsroom Thursday, 12th July 2012, 11:10 am

Reports in the Bahrain media claim a group of investors, headed by lifelong United supporter Al-Khalifa, are close to completing a deal for Leeds.

Positive developments, either involving the Shaikh or someone else, are thought to be imminent.

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It is believed that the process has not thrown up any complications, with the deal now just waiting to be officially rubber-stamped.

Al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s ruling dynasty, was part of a consortium including representatives from Saudi Arabia and Asia who failed to push through a takeover deal just under a decade ago, but it seems he has maintained a strong interest in United’s affairs.

According to Bahrain newspaper Gulf Weekly, friends of Shaikh Abdulrahman say he is currently visiting Europe and is unavailable to comment.

In 2003 he told reporters: “I fell in love with the club when I was 11-years-old when Leeds played Chelsea in the 1970 FA Cup Final.

“Leeds mean everything to me, I was born to support them. Those who are closest to me, my friends and my family, know what Leeds United mean to me.”

The protracted takeover saga has been rumbling on for more than a month with the trail having gone cold in North America, and now appearing to settle in the Gulf.

A successful takeover would follow hot on the heels of Nottingham Forest’s sale to Kuwaiti businessman Fawaz Al Hasawi – ironically one of the names mentioned as a potential buyer at United.

Leeds reached an exclusivity agreement with an unnamed investor just over a fortnight ago, with the period enabling the interested party – who satisfied the requirements of the Football League’s Owners and Directors test – to carry out due diligence at the club.

The club released a statement recently that read: “Leeds United can confirm they have granted an exclusivity period to enable a potential investor to carry out the appropriate due diligence.

“It is anticipated this will be a fairly straightforward process. A confidentiality clause prevents the club from making any further comment.

“However, our discussions with them have left us very comfortable that they have the financial resources to support the club and that they will have no issues in satisfying the requirements of the Football League’s Owners and Directors Test, unlike many of the previous approaches we have had to endure.”