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Turki Alalshikh denied reports he was to buy Bristol City back in September Bristol City CEO Tom Rawcliffe has confirmed the club held talks with Saudi sports supremo Turki Alalshikh over investment. In September, it was reported Alalshikh was close to agreeing a deal to buy the Championship outfit only for the promoter to post on his X account, external it was "not true". Bristol-born billionaire Steve Lansdown has been majority shareholder of his hometown club since 1996 but admitted in 2021 he was searching for additional investment, which could mean a full takeover. "Yes, we had conversations with him [Alalshikh] and we are up for investment but it has to be the right investment, " Rawcliffe told a fans' forum, external on Wednesday. He added there had been overseas interest from both "US and Middle East-based backers" and reiterated the Lansdown family had a desire to sell the club. Who is Turki Alalshikh amid Man Utd takeover posts? Alalshikh, 44, is a Saudi Arabian government official who is among the most influential people in boxing and has previously owned football clubs in Spain and Egypt. City fall under the Bristol Sport umbrella which also comprises the Bristol Bears men's and women's rugby union teams and Bristol Flyers basketball. It also included the women's football team until it was sold in September to American investment group Mercury13. "It's no secret that we're looking for investment whether that is a minority or majority, " added Rawcliffe. "It's going to happen at some stage but the Lansdown family are not going to be here forever and we've got to prepare ourselves. We don't know what's going to happen in the future. "At the moment there's nothing imminent, but we are well backed. "We've had interest from all over the world. "Predominantly with football clubs and who is buying right now it tends to be US or Middle East-based backers and so we've had interest from both of those, but we haven't come overly close. " After Alalshikh stated he would not be buying Bristol City, sources at Manchester United denied his claims the club was close to securing a new investor, which he later said was not him. Latest Bristol City news, analysis and fan views Listen to Bristol City content on BBC Sounds 'I'm not in Dubai for money. .. I don't want my kids growing up in England' Women's World Cup: Australia v Bangladesh - live text Premier League: Hincapie returns for Arsenal as Cunha & Fernandes miss Man Utd training John Lennon: From iconic shots to private snaps What connects highwaymen to 'mad Victorian sports'? Day one of the 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament held in London A formulaic look at the fascinating birth of Excel 'I'm not in Dubai for money. .. I don't want my kids growing up in England' Why NFL 'unicorn' is primed for London breakout Why Man Utd's next four games could shape their season How are World Cup favourites shaping up - and who will win? 'Mercedes deals end Verstappen speculation - for now' Ten of retiring Fishlock's best Wales goals. Video Ten of retiring Fishlock's best Wales goals Football, fashion & the rise of the replica shirt The players with points to prove as England reach World Cup In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week Icon, trailblazer & Wales hero - Fishlock's seismic legacy The Australian with a masterplan to get Scotland back to World Cup Beau Greaves - the 'very special' talent who beat Littler Did Man City let De Bruyne leave too soon? All you need to know about 2026 World Cup 'Biggest thing since independence' - Cape Verde celebrates World Cup spot Should F1 TV coverage concentrate on track action? How Bright left her mark on historic Lionesses Three players, 57 goals - who is the best striker? Blowing whistle on racism killed my career - Burrell Captain, player, manager, Mister, number one - Davids at Barnet Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.