Boxing billionaire Turki Alalshikh‘s move into English football has moved a step closer, with a proposal to invest in Derby County already sitting with the sport’s new independent regulator.
If it goes through, it would be Alalshikh’s first step into the English game, though he’s no stranger to club ownership. He previously ran Egypt’s Pyramids FC and later took over Spain’s Almeria, selling the club in 2025 to a Saudi investment group.
The prospect of a Saudi‑linked investment has sparked pushback from human‑rights campaigners, including Amnesty International, which has warned the regulator that this deal is a “defining test”. Critics have long accused Saudi Arabia of using big‑ticket sports projects for “sportswashing”, a claim the country rejects.
For Derby, the move could be transformative. Owner David Clowes — who rescued the club in 2022 after its financial meltdown — has said he’s open to outside investment if it helps accelerate the Rams’ climb back toward the Premier League. Plenty of suitors have sniffed around since.
And the timing matters. The summer transfer window is still open, Derby are coming off a solid eighth‑place finish, and head coach John Eustace is keen for reinforcements to push into the play‑off mix.
But the big questions remain unanswered: how much money is on the table, what stake is involved, and how the deal would actually be structured.
If approved, the investment would mark a major new chapter for Derby County — on the pitch and in the boardroom.
For now, the regulator, Derby County and Alalshikh aren’t saying a word.
