Palermo look to secure investment from Saudi Sheikh
Italian Serie A club Palermo are looking to be the next to join the growing list of European clubs to have strong financial backing from foreign investors with the hope that they will rise to become among
the elite teams in Europe.
Palermo club owner
Maurizio Zamparini is optimistic his relationship with Saudi Arabia's Sheikh
Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz Alhokair will translate into foreign interest in the club and more dollars for his side. With financial backing from the Middle East Palermo could find themselves on a level playing field with the
other big clubs in Italy including Internazionale, Napoli, AC Milan, and Lazio, and vying for the Serie A title and the coveted Champions League spots which come with being among the top teams in the country.
With English clubs such as Chelsea, Fulham, and Manchester City having undergone recent surges in payroll due in large part to foreign investment, Zamparini believes the same
formula for success could be brought to Italy, and specifically to his club.
"Soon I will go to Riyad to talk with my friend the Arab prince (Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz Alhokair, leader of the Al Hokair group) to try to involve him in Palermo," Zamparini told
Le Sicilia.
"If I succeed, then we could talk about the Scudetto. He's a football fan and I hope to really involve him.
"I don't understand why everyone is drawn by England football and we cannot try to involve important foreign investors in our football."
Palermo have been one of the top teams in Italy in recent seasons since being promoted to the Serie A in 2004, but have yet to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Zamparini will be hoping that foreign
investment will be the magic ingredient which takes his club to the next level.
Palermo currently sit tied for seventh in Serie A with five other clubs on eight points after six games.
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