Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly preparing an astronomical €10 billion bid to take over one of European football’s biggest clubs. The Middle Eastern nation has become an increasingly important force in global sport in recent years, and while it appears to have cracked the code in Formula 1 and boxing, the beautiful game remains just out of reach.
Despite the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023 - an eye-catching move that set the wheels in motion for a mass exodus of superstars from Europe to Asia, including Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and N’Golo Kante - the Saudi Pro League has still only just about manages to creep onto a list detailing the 30 best football leagues in the world.
With South America and Europe continuing to dominate the sport, wealthy Saudi suitors have found greater appeal in investing where the foundations are already firmly in place. Salman, who serves as the nation’s prime minister and heir to the throne, is now reportedly turning his attention to taking over a well-known Spanish club.
Saudi Crown Prince Plots €10bn Takeover of European Giant
Saudi Crown Prince
According to reporter Francois Gallardo of Spanish publication El Chiringuito, the Saudi Crown Prince is considering making an offer worth €10bn to buy current La Liga leaders Barcelona. The Catalan giants are ranked as the third most valuable football club on the planet with an estimated worth of £4.1 billion.
That figure pales in comparison to the wealth of their potential new owner. Salman is often cited as being worth around £18.7bn, while his family’s overall wealth - including vast holdings in Saudi Aramco - is estimated to reach as high as £1 trillion.
Barcelona, by contrast, are largely owned and operated by their fans and members, with club president Joan Laporta himself boasting a net worth of only a few million pounds. As a result, the club has rarely benefited from the kind of financial muscle enjoyed by rivals such as Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester City.
Should Salman decide to step in as Barcelona’s new benefactor, the club would almost instantly become the richest in the world, eclipsing even the likes of Paris FC and Newcastle United’s mega-wealthy backers.
The Complications Salman Would Face at Barcelona
yamal lewa
Barcelona also generate some of the highest annual revenues in world football, but those figures are offset by the scale of the club’s debt. The La Liga giants currently owe more than £2.2 billion, a major factor the Saudi Crown Prince would need to consider before making any move for the Camp Nou outfit.
Another significant complication lies in the club’s ownership model. Barcelona are owned by their socios, or members, who would be unlikely to sanction a full foreign takeover or allow day-to-day control by an external entity - such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which already owns Premier League side Newcastle United.
FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick watching Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves
LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Deportivo Alaves - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - November 29, 2025 FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick looks on as Lamine Yamal holds the ball REUTERS/Albert Gea
But with the club's potential to become a dominant force like they were under Pep Guardiola in the early 2010s being stunted by financial turmoil, now could be the perfect time to reluctantly reassess their structure and seek a route to the very pinnacle of European football once again, with the latest summer transfer window seeing them only manage to fork out £23 million to fund their Champions League-winning mission.