March 27 – Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the majority shareholder of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), could soon acquire Spanish Second Division club Málaga.
French sports daily L’ Equipe reports that the Qatari owner of the capital club is in advanced talks with the LaLiga 2 outfit, with a projected deal estimated to be worth €100million.
Málaga are owned by Spanish hotel and real estate group Bluebay (49%) and Qatari businessman Abdullah Al Thani, but they have struggled financially for a long time.
Al Thani arrived in the Spanish city in 2010 with the promise of rejuvenating the club, but although they have participated in the Champions League, their fortunes have declined and they eventually dropped out of the LaLiga top flight.
QSI is believed to be interested in Málaga for several reasons, including the city’s planned hosting of the 2030 World Cup following a stadium upgrade, and the fact that Spain’s sixth-largest city boasts a significant tourism market.
QSI’s portfolio includes a stake in Portuguese side Braga and basketball’s Washington Wizards. It also has interests in Premier Padel and Formula 1.
In 2011 the investment group took over PSG and they have since won 10 Ligue 1 titles. Even so, the coveted Champions League trophy remains elusive.
In December 2023 US private equity group Arctos acquired a minority stake in PSG, but president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently dismissed reports that QSI would be prepared to leave the Parc des Princes.
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