AS Roma subject of $1.1bn offer from Saudi PIF

AS Roma could be set to financially dominate Italian football with the news of two Saudi Arabian parties bidding for the club.

LaRepubblica reports that a two-way bidding war is taking place between the Saudi Sovereign Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi private investor Turki Alalshikh.

The Saudi PIF are best known in football for their ownership of Premier League side Newcastle, while Alalshikh has made huge moves in bringing the biggest fights in boxing to the Middle East.

Current Roma owners, The Friedkin Group, are reportedly considering one offer that totals $1.1billion, and involves sponsorship rights as well as the construction of a new stadium.

Roma recently travelled to Saudi shortly after Jose Mourinho‘s sacking for a bizarre mid-season friendly against Al Shabab in January.

Along with their ownership of Newcastle, the PIF also owns Saudi Pro League sides Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.

The royal fund is responsible for the huge influx of players to the league, while they’ve also shaken up the world of golf.