By David Gold
April 22 – A Dubai based group has announced the purchase of La Liga outfit Getafe in a deal worth €90million (£79 million/$131 million) – and immediately set their sights on working out how to beat local rivals Real Madrid, one of the giants of the world game.
Royal Emirates Group have completed their takeover of the Spanish club, and their managing director Kaiser Rafiq said: “The majority of the payment is up front – for the coming year, we are definitely going to secure a position in the top six.
“We were offered two or three La Liga clubs and we also looked into Europe as well but Getafe is a young and rising team.”
The group’s project manager Suleimen al Butti said that the club is intent on overhauling their city rivals Real Madrid, who have won a record nine European Cups, as they look to turn Getafe into a continental force.
The club finished sixth in La Liga last season, but endured an unsuccessful Europa League campaign this season, and are currently 14th in La Liga.
Contrary to reports, Getafe will not be officially renamed “Team Dubai”, though that slogan will be added to club merchandise, according to the Dubai group.
Getafe are the third La Liga outfit to fall into foreign ownership in recent months.
Malaga was bought by Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani last year, and went on a spending spree during the January transfer market, bringing in big name signings including Julio Baptista and Martin Demichelis in a bid to stave off relegation, with the Andalucian outfit lying in the relegation zone and facing the serious threat of relegation to the Segunda Liga.
And Racing Santander was purchased in January by Ahsan Ali Syed, as billionaires increasingly look away from the Premier League and towards La Liga for major football investments.
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