FSG has put Liverpool up for sale, and the club is currently in the process of potentially finding a new owner, know about the owner and net worth of Dubai International Capital
With Dubai International Capital (DIC) allegedly ready to rekindle its interest in purchasing the club, investment from the Middle East may be the route Liverpool takes when looking for new owners. The SportGrail examines four factors that could indicate a Dubai royal family takeover of Liverpool.
Who Is Dubai International Capital (DIC), Owner, Net Worth In 2022, Portfolio
Past connection of the Dubai royal family with Liverpool.
The current ruler of Dubai and CEO of Dubai International Capital, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, actively participated in a 2008 bid to acquire Liverpool. Before Abu Dhabi funded a takeover at Manchester City and Saudi Arabia’s investment firm just purchased Newcastle, it was the first time a Premier League club was being considered by a sovereign state.
Since his aborted takeover effort earlier this century, Sheikh Mohammed seems to have kept an interest in Liverpool. Additionally, sources from the Middle East indicate that the DIC would be willing to accept FSG’s estimate of £4.5 billion.
The asking price FSG is seeking to receive will be one of their challenges in finding a buyer. There aren’t many people in the world who could afford to finance such a bid on their own, at £4.5 billion. The seventh-richest monarch in the world, Sheikh Mohammed has an estimated personal fortune of about £12.2 billion.
DIC is the international investment arm of the sovereign wealth fund of the government of Dubai and although it’s unclear just how much money DIC have, it manages assets worth an estimated $13bn.
DIC have invested in numerous major companies in the past, including German car manufacturer Daimler, aircraft and defence company EADS and Sony. The full portfolio of DIC can be found here.
The royal family has been Liverpool supporters.
Sheikh Mohammed and his son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, are both passionate Liverpool supporters, as was made evident in their unsuccessful takeover attempt more than ten years ago. In 2019, Mohamed Salah and the entire Liverpool team visited with Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
World Cup practise facility
Unrelatedly, Liverpool will shortly travel to Dubai for a mid-season training camp while competing in the World Cup. Before the Premier League returns on Boxing Day, players like Salah, Luis Diaz, and Roberto Firmino won’t be travelling to the World Cup.
It’s not the first time Liverpool has travelled to Dubai for a midseason vacation, and it’s unlikely that the club’s itinerary has much to do with any potential interest in the acquisition by the royal family. But the likelihood of a meeting between FSG and the Al-Maktoums will probably not be harmed by their shared nationality.