DERBY, England — Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), is nearing an agreement to invest in English football club Derby County FC, according to a report published by The Mirror on May 25, 2026.
The potential transaction involves securing a significant financial stake in the EFL Championship club, which is currently owned by local businessman David Clowes. Clowes acquired the club in July 2022, rescuing the institution from a 21-month period of financial administration.
Alalshikh, who has been a prominent figure in global sports promotion through his orchestration of high-profile boxing events under the “Riyadh Season” banner, is seeking to expand his portfolio into English football. He has previously held ownership stakes in football clubs within the region and Europe, including Egyptian side Pyramids FC and Spanish Segunda División club UD Almería, which he purchased in 2019.
The proposed investment deal would provide Derby County FC with fresh capital and potential strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing the club’s competitive infrastructure as it targets promotion to the English Premier League. The precise valuation and percentage of the stake under negotiation have not been officially disclosed by either party.