Qatar Sheikh Khalifah Bin Hamad Al Thani sent Milan fans wild with a tweet about the Rossoneri, but he has nothing to do with negotiations on the club’s takeover.
Milan owners Elliott are in talks with the Bahrain-based fund Investcorp and are expected to finalise an agreement in the next two weeks. According to multiple reports, Investcorp could complete the club’s takeover for circa €1 billion.
Some Milan fans saw a tweet from Khalifah Bin Hamad Al Thani as further proof that the club’s ownership would change soon, but the Qatar Sheikh is not linked with Investcorp and is a member of the ruling Al Thani Qatari royal family.
He had already commented on Serie A in the past, sparking speculations of his interest in buying Napoli, although talks between him and the Partenopei President Aurelio De Laurentiis never materialised. His passion for Italian football seems to be the only reason he mentioned Milan last night, as his family is not negotiating with Elliott.
The family Al Thani came close to buying Milan in the past. La Repubblica reported in 2018 that Bin Hamad Al Thani had offered € 1 billion to buy the club from Silvio Berlusconi in 2007, but his offer was rejected, so the royal family acquired PSG a few years later.
“I follow Serie A, where there are strong teams such as Juventus and Milan,” he said in an interview with Il Giorno in 2019.
“We came close to buying Inter two years ago. Interest in Milan? I won’t deny nor confirm. I don’t follow these kinds of operations.”
Al Thani also commented on the Stadio Meazza, which the Milanese sides could soon abandon.
“It has a historical and cultural value, it should be refurbished to maintain the identity of the place. The city has the obligation to preserve its heritage.”
However, despite their previous interest and the latest tweet from Khalifah Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatar royal family is currently not negotiating with Milan owners. It’s unlikely that they will compete to buy the club, given that exclusive talks between Elliott and Investcorp are at an advanced stage.
“It has a historical and cultural value, it should be refurbished to maintain the identity of the place. The city has the obligation to preserve its heritage.”
Hai ragione!!