Al Fahim outlines plans for Portsmouth

Abu Dhabi-based property billionaire Sulaiman al-Fahim has outlined his plans for Portsmouth after moving closer to a takeover of the Premier League club.

Fahim has agreed in principle to the deal after meeting Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie in Rome before attending Wednesday’s Champions League final.

He is due to complete his takeover within the next few weeks following a period of formal financial and legal due diligence.

Fahim played a key role in the Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover of Manchester City in September but wanted the chance to run his own club.

The 32-year-old was also reported to have inquired about buying Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in January as part of a consortium believed to have bid more than 700 million pounds.

But he eventually settled on Portsmouth and plans to overhaul the Fratton Park club, who finished 14th in the Premier League this season a year after winning the FA Cup.

“I’m excited about the club, and I’ve signed the memorandum,” Fahim told Abu Dhabi newspaper, The National on Thursday.

“I was involved in the Manchester City purchase, but this one is now mine.”

Fahim will take a hands-on role, in contrast to current owner Alexandre Gaydamak who has been unable to devote the time he would have liked to Pompey.

Fahim plans to travel to Britain every weekend to watch Portsmouth in action and has revealed some of his plans for the club.

“I will develop the football academy there to develop local talent, as well as try to bring in some new players and set up relationships with clubs in Europe, Asia and Africa.”

Portsmouth’s current caretaker manager Paul Hart and his assistant Brian Kidd could be forced out as part of the takeover, with former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, Croatia boss Slaven Bilic and Avram Grant, a former director of football at Portsmouth, already linked with the position.

Nigel Tressider, chairman of the official Portsmouth FC supporters club, said: “It’s fantastic news. He will be welcomed with open arms by the terrific Portsmouth fans.

“I don’t think he would have bought the club unless he has enough money to put it on the right track, and that is going to take a lot of money, hundreds of millions of pounds.”