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Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini: Sheikhs also interested in Napoli
The Rosanero supremo has lined up a Middle Eastern businessman to invest in his club and he has now claimed that the Partenopei could be set for an injection of petrodollars
09-Feb-2012 12:34:02 AM
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has claimed that there are also sheikhs keen on investing in Napoli.
The Rosanero supremo revealed over the weekend that he is currently in talks with Ahmed Al Zubeidi over pumping money in the Sicilian outfit.
And Zamparini has now stated that fellow Serie A side Napoli could also be set for an injection of petrodollars in the coming years.
"Yes, it may be that there is strong interest among the sheikhs in Italian football," he told Radio Kiss Kiss.
"And, along with the strong interest, there is also the fact that they know [Napoli owner] Aurelio De Laurentiis. It would be nice if they invested in these two Italian clubs."
Zamparini explained, though, that the Middle Eastern businessmen are keen to retain the services of experienced figureheads like himself and that their main focus is boosting their own public profiles.
"They do not want to buy everything," he stated. "They want to hold on to De Laurentiis like the way they want to hold on to me.
"They sheikhs would come on board with some shares, maybe even a majority shareholding, but they would keep us on board because we are essential for carrying the club forward.
"Both myself and De Laurentiis are known throughout European football. They have mountains of money and they are nobodies.
"The advantage for them is boosting their image and the marketing [opportunities] that they will have.
"Who knew [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich before invested in Chelsea? Also, myself and De Laurentiis were unknown before but through football we have become well known.
"As they say, get into football and become famous."
Palermo are currently eighth in Serie A, one place below Napoli, from whom they are separated by just goal difference.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
The Rosanero supremo revealed over the weekend that he is currently in talks with Ahmed Al Zubeidi over pumping money in the Sicilian outfit.
And Zamparini has now stated that fellow Serie A side Napoli could also be set for an injection of petrodollars in the coming years.
"Yes, it may be that there is strong interest among the sheikhs in Italian football," he told Radio Kiss Kiss.
"And, along with the strong interest, there is also the fact that they know [Napoli owner] Aurelio De Laurentiis. It would be nice if they invested in these two Italian clubs."
Zamparini explained, though, that the Middle Eastern businessmen are keen to retain the services of experienced figureheads like himself and that their main focus is boosting their own public profiles.
"They do not want to buy everything," he stated. "They want to hold on to De Laurentiis like the way they want to hold on to me.
"They sheikhs would come on board with some shares, maybe even a majority shareholding, but they would keep us on board because we are essential for carrying the club forward.
"Both myself and De Laurentiis are known throughout European football. They have mountains of money and they are nobodies.
"The advantage for them is boosting their image and the marketing [opportunities] that they will have.
"Who knew [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich before invested in Chelsea? Also, myself and De Laurentiis were unknown before but through football we have become well known.
"As they say, get into football and become famous."
Palermo are currently eighth in Serie A, one place below Napoli, from whom they are separated by just goal difference.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
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