JEDDAH, 10 December 2003, 10 December 2003 — The two Saudi businessmen whom Bahrain-based Sheikh Abdul Mubarak Al-Khalifa said on Sunday he was hoping to join him in a takeover of English Premiership club Leeds United were named yesterday as Mansour Salah Al-Zamil and Fahd ibn Muhammad Al-Sudairi.
London’s Daily Mirror, which named the three possible buyers, said Al-Zamil sees the ownership of Leeds as potentially a boost to the Arab world, a brand name that will attract business for him and also revive the ailing club.
Al-Khalifa has persuaded the Saudi businessmen that Leeds is a good investment, despite debts of 80 million pounds ($136 million).
Al-Khalifa’s offer includes 17 million pounds for shares and other millions to settle the two major creditors.
Leeds Chairman John McKenzie has put a 60 million pound price tag on the club.
The Mirror said the Arab businessmen were talking to the Leeds United directors.
Leeds came to a “standstill” agreement with their creditors last week. The deal also released four million pounds to give the club until Jan. 19 to find a buyer or to negotiate and secure a longer-term deal with the creditors.
