By Temitope Hassan
43-year-old Nigerian entrepreneur and billionaire Dozy Mmobuosi has billed to buy Sheffield United priced at £90 million, which could make him the first African to own a club in the English top flight.
Recall that, this will be the second time a prominent Nigerian would be linked to takeover of a football club in England after the botched bid of Arsenal by richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, some years back.
According to The Times, Mmobuosi is in the final stages of buying Sheffield United as all paperwork has been put in order and the billionaire only needs to pass the EFL’s owners’ and directors’ test for the deal to be completed.
Mmobuosi, the billionaire founder of Tingo Mobile PLC, is believed to be willing to pay £90 million (NGN50 million) to become the owner of the Bramall Lane club.
The current owner, Abdullah bin Musaid Al Saud had put Sheffield United up for sale for a while and was close to selling the Blades to American businessman Henry Mauriss last year before the deal collapsed.
Said to be worth more than £7 billion (NGN4 trillion), Mmobuosi would look to turn the financial fortunes of the club around with things going almost perfectly on the pitch.
Despite not spending big in the last two transfer windows due to an embargo, Sheffield United are flying high in the English Championship.
Managed astutely by English coach Paul Heckingbottom, Sheffield United are sitting in second position on the league table.
The Blades have an 18-point advantage over third-place Middlesbrough despite playing one fewer game and are a near sure bet for promotion to the Premier League.
The club last played in the top-flight in 2020-21 and there would need to be squad investment in order to stay in the Premier League should they win promotion.
Source: intelregion
