We have a couple of sports stories coming out of the Kingdom this morning, including unconfirmed reports of a potential Saudi investment in Premier League club Everton, as well as Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels joining Al Qadsiah.

An unnamed Saudi royal and friends have their eyes on Everton: A consortium of international investors, which includes an unnamed Saudi royal, has emerged as the frontrunner to buy struggling Premier League football club Everton in a GBP 400 mn bid, reports BBC Sport.

The details: The consortium — led by Lebanese born and London-based businessman Vatche Manoukian along with a Saudi royal and affluent families from the US — is offering an all-equity bid that would not incur additional debt. They see the Toffees as a “sleeping giant” in the Premier League that could secure a spot “at the top of world football again.”

Some competition: British businessmen Andy Bell and George Downing are also in the running, alongside MSP Sports which had lent Everton GBP 158 mn. Other interested investors include Roma owner Dan Friedkin, Dell Technologies’ CEO Michael Fell and A-Cap’s CEO Kenneth King.

Saudi already has a presence in the English Premier League: A consortium led by the PIF completed in October 2021 its takeover of English Premier League side Newcastle in a USD 408 transaction.

IN OTHER SPORTS NEWS-

Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels will join Al Qadsiah until 2027, the Aramco-owned football club said on X. The club — which has recently joined the Saudi Pro League — will bring Casteels over as a freeagent, after playing for VfL Wolfsburg last season, according to Reuters.

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