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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly considering a sensational move to buy FC Barcelona, with claims suggesting a bid worth as much as €10 billion could be in preparation. The report, aired by Spanish broadcaster El Chiringuito, has fuelled speculation about what would be one of the most expensive takeovers in sporting history.
Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly powerful presence in global sport over recent years, enjoying notable success in areas such as Formula 1 and professional boxing. Football, however, remains a central focus of the kingdom’s sporting ambitions. Barcelona, widely regarded as one of the most iconic clubs in world football, is currently valued at around €4.7 billion, making it the third most valuable football club globally.
That figure is relatively small compared with the resources attributed to the potential buyer. Mohammed bin Salman’s personal wealth is estimated to be in the region of €21.3 billion, while the wider Saudi royal family’s fortune, bolstered by extensive interests in state oil giant Aramco, is believed to stretch to approximately €1.15 trillion.
Despite the scale of the reported offer, any takeover would face significant structural challenges. Barcelona is owned by its members, known as socios, and operates under a democratic assembly system. Club president Joan Laporta does not hold a controlling stake, with his personal investment reportedly amounting to only a few million euros. This long-standing ownership model has historically restricted the club’s ability to attract the kind of direct financial backing seen at rivals such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
If Mohammed bin Salman were somehow able to overcome these barriers, Barcelona would instantly become the wealthiest club in world football, surpassing even the state-backed financial power behind Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United.
