EXCLUSIVE: Fayed in secret talks to SELL Fulham after 16-year stint at Craven Cottage

By Charles Sale

PUBLISHED: 16:30 EST, 9 July 2013 | UPDATED: 16:30 EST, 9 July 2013

End of the road: Mohamed Al Fayed is understood to be on the verge of selling Fulham

End of the road: Mohamed Al Fayed is understood to be on the verge of selling Fulham

Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed is understood to be on the verge of selling the club after investing £200million at Craven Cottage over the last 16 years.

Potential buyers from America are interested and the Premier League are well into the complex process involved when a club in world football's richest league changes hands.

Talks are also taking place with Fayed's advisors and a deal could be completed in time for the start of the season next month - and possibly even by the end of this week.

However, such is the secrecy with which 84-year-old Fayed conducts his business - typified by his sale of Harrods to Qatar Holdings - that executives at Fulham have little or no information about the potential sale that is being conducted through the chairman's office.

Selling Fulham, now established in the top flight, could make sense at this time for Fayed if he has found the right buyer with deep enough pockets.

The billionaire, who bought the club for £6.25m in 1997 and has since lent them about £200m interest free, is not prepared to put in any more money.

Sky's the limit: The businessman has lent Fulham about £200m interest free since buying the club in 1997

Sky's the limit: The businessman has lent Fulham about £200m interest free since buying the club in 1997

Sky's the limit: The businessman has lent Fulham about £200m interest free since buying the club in 1997

There is speculation that another owner of an NFL franchise may follow in the footsteps of the Glazer family (Manchester United), Stan Kroenke (Arsenal) and Randy Lerner (Aston Villa) in buying into the Premier League.

Also, during talks over Fulham's funding of their proposed new Riverside Stand, one  potential investor has indicated an interest in buying the whole club.

 

More...

Add your comments

Comments (22)

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

Hmmmmm. DM's definition of 'secret' must be different from mine.

Click to rate     Rating   9

Report abuse

The most marketable is not necessarily the best or most productive. La Liga has the best and biggest players. - hunglikeshire , Beckton London, 10/7/2013 00:44 Why was this red arrowed? It is a fact

Click to rate     Rating   17

Report abuse

And yet soft lad Bill Kenwright has claimed we (Everton) have been for sale for years but not one buyer yet every other club manages to do it effortlessly - Don Draper , Madison Avenue, 09/7/2013 23:12>>>>>You're not the only one mate, Mike Ashley's been trying to sell Newcastle united for years.

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

Hope he leaves Fulham in good hands...

Click to rate     Rating   12

Report abuse

Will the new owners be allowed to ditch the statue of Michael Jackson?

Click to rate     Rating   20

Report abuse

Fayed never did make do of his ambition to turn Fulham into the Manchester UTD of the south did he..

Click to rate     Rating   2

Report abuse

The most marketable is not necessarily the best or most productive. La Liga has the best and biggest players - hunglikeshire , Beckton London, 10/7/2013 00:44 - Football is about entertainment. The Premier League is the most entertaining top flight in Europe, ergo it is the best.

Click to rate     Rating   4

Report abuse

I heard he was in secret talks with Rooney. Just as believable as all the other tales about Rooney moving.

Click to rate     Rating   4

Report abuse

I have only praise for Fayed's achievements and conduct during his ownership of Fulham FC. Now in his eighties, he has every right to sell and good luck to him.

Click to rate     Rating   29

Report abuse

Is the 'amazing' Michael Jackson statue included in the price?!

Click to rate     Rating   13

Report abuse

Share this comment

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

You have 1000 characters left.
Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.
Terms