The reasons why Turki Alalshikh could launch huge Bristol City takeover instead of Sheffield Wednesday named

Bristol City have spent decade in the Championship but recent signs have begun to suggest that things might be about to change at Ashton Gate.

The Robins qualified for the play-offs last campaign, for the first time in the second tier since 2008, and have begun this new season in similar fashion with thumping victories against Sheffield United, Hull City and most recently Sheffield Wednesday, to leave Gerhard Struber’s side third in the league table.

Confidence and optimism are high, only furthered by the fact that several pre-season favourites have started slowly. As things look at this moment in time, the Robins have as good a shot at challenging for promotion as ever.

This could only be increased by reports off the field that a takeover bid from Saudi Arabian billionaire Turki Alalshikh could soon be arriving, as the boxing promoter and businessman sets his sights on taking over a Championship club - he is reportedly targeting Bristol City over other options such as Sheffield Wednesday.

Three main reasons for proposed Bristol City takeover revealed

As reported by Football League World, three main reasons have emerged as to why Alalshikh may have opted to target a takeover of Bristol City rather than the Owls, with links first emerging over the summer. The two clubs would have presented vastly different challenges and it seems that Alalshikh believes Ashton Gate is the right ownership project for him to take forward.

First of all, the Saudi businessman has expressed a desire to take over a club in the south of England, with concerns that Wednesday’s Yorkshire location in the north of the country did not appeal ‘whatsoever’. Comparably, Bristol is in the South West with good transport links to London and a major airport connected to cities around Europe, while the ‘idyllic nature’ of the area surrounding Ashton Gate may also be a bonus.

Another key aspect to consider is the current ownership situation at both clubs and how easy a deal may be struck. Regarding the Robins, owner Steve Lansdown has given no indication of a desire to sell imminently but has expressed a willingness to sell to the right buyer in the past. Should Alalshikh convince Lansdown that a sale would be in the best interests of the club, it is conceivable that a deal goes through with little problem.

At Wednesday, however, owner Dejphron Chansiri has reportedly put an £100 million valuation on the Owls and has no intention of selling, despite the fact that the club are on the brink of being run into the ground under his ownership. He has not been willing to negotiate with prospective buyers and so a deal would look far more difficult a task for Alalshikh.

The two clubs are going in different directions on the pitch

The final factor in Alalshikh’s reported decision, and just as important as any, is the direction in which both clubs are going on the pitch. While Bristol City are aiming to challenge for the play-offs and ultimately reach the promised land of the Premier League for the first time, relegation this season looks highly likely for Wednesday.

Even if new ownership were to arrive in time for January, there is a distinct lack of quality and experience in the squad and it may take the club going down in order for them to come back up stronger. Just three seasons after the Owls were last in the third tier, it would be a demoralising return to League One and there is no guarantee a return would be instant.

At Ashton Gate, things are certainly looking up. Several years of Championship consolidation have now led to a push for the upper reaches of the table. New ownership and an influx of increased financial backing could quickly take the club to the next level.