Love my horse racing so know quite a bit about the Maktoums.
Not only do they have some of the best horses in the world ubder their Godolphin banner they also have great horse running in their own colours. The Maktoum family being
Sheikh Mohammed
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum
Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum (recently deceased)
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum
Shekih Obaid Al Maktoum
Sheikh Arwan Al Maktoum
and one or 2 others.
They are contsantly aiming to be the best in the what they do and regularly put their money into the racing world, buying, sponsoring etc. At the American horse sales their bidding wars with Coolmore (John Magnier, Micahel Tabor, JP McManus) et al are becoming legendary. Often topping the $10 million barrier for horses.
Sheikmh Mohammed and family have a bigger vision of just winning the biggest and best races in the world.....
It is Dubai. All their investments all their big races won, they are constantly doing it in the name of the capital of the UAE.
Buying Liverpool is in my opinion as they are a world name in the sport is getting the name of Dubai recognised further in the world. OK why hasn't he gone for Madrid or Barcelona or the likes. Well Sheikh Mohammed loves Britain. He owns large chunks of the British countryside as well as a multitude of properties. He is not one of these veiled Sheikhs in sunglasses. He is often seen n Newmarket in t-shirt and jeans and flat cap. So it would make sense to get the biggest available name in England as he loves the place.
Furthermore I've just heard on Granada Reports (local North west news) some fella saying the investment will be that but nothing else. I disagree as well as being very rich the more he promotes Dubai the more the money will end up back in his pocket, albeit indirectly. He is the kind of man to strive to make Liverpool the biggest name because this is what he does.
Sheikh Mohammed is very much in touch with the Western World and if with the help with mainly British businessmen & architects they are making Dubai great. Even with it being a muslim country he has lifted the ban of drinking alcohol to non-muslims (in designated areas at certain times) making it more more attracive to outsiders to invest and visit. You only have to say the word beer in some muslim coutries and you'll lose a hand.
So if it is true we couldn't have hoped for a better investor. Making money from Liverpool won't be his aim. Although don't be surprised to see the next few pre-seasons in Dubai.
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