PSG’s Qatari owners are eyeing up the Spanish club
Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari owners have reportedly launched a takeover bid to buy LaLiga side Espanyol after they were put up for sale by Chinese businessman, Chen Yansheng.
Radio Marca have reported that two offers have been tabled so far – one from a North American-based group and the other from the Qatar Sports Investments group.
The group have been in charge of the French giants since 2011, transforming them into a worldwide powerhouse who have won eight of the last 10 Ligue 1 titles.
They also reached the Champions League final in 2020, but were beaten by Bayern Munich as the club go in search of their first major European honour.
But their recent ownership model has come in for a wave of criticism given that PSG are a state-funded club and have practically turned the French top flight into a one-horse race due to their significant financial muscle.
PSG’s owners want to take a similar approach to the Man City model
PSG are currently the only club amongst the Qatar Sports Investments’ portfolio but they are keen to take a similar approach to Manchester City’s owners Abu Dhabi United Group, who own a number of ‘satellite clubs’ all around the world.
Red Bull also follow a familiar model, owning clubs in Austria, Germany, the USA and Brazil.
Qatar Sports Investments have previously been linked with buying Conference League champions Roma and are also considering launching a bid to take over Portuguese side Braga.
Should they prove to be successful with their bid, Espanyol would be prevented from playing in European competition as part of UEFA regulations.
Related links:
- How NAC Breda fans blocked their club’s City Football Group sale
- ‘Paris will never be Qatari’ – Furious PSG fans graffiti training ground
- PSG accused of ‘institutional bullying’ after ostracising unwanted players
