Al-Faraj on verge of takeover

Portsmouth deal expected to be reached on Monday night

Last updated: 5th October 2009

Al-Faraj on verge of takeover

Al-Fahim: Close to sale

Sky Sports News understands that Ali Al-Faraj could complete his takeover of Portsmouth on Monday evening.

The Saudi-Arabian businessman is in discussions with current Pompey owner Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who has failed to produce the necessary funds to run the club after only arriving in August.

It was reported that a deal was expected on Wednesday, but it is now understood that talks, which also involve former owner Sasha Gaydamak, have proceeded productively and a conclusion could be reached by as early as Monday night.

Al-Fahim is selling a 90 per cent majority share in Pompey after a controversial time with the Premier League club, which peaked last week when players did not receive their salaries.

It is expected that Al-Fahim, who was also rushed to hospital last week, will remain with the South Coast outfit as a non-executive chairman and a shareholding of 10 per cent.

Al-Faraj has already passed the Premier League's fit and proper persons test after a failed attempt to buy Portsmouth as part of chief executive Peter Storrie's consortium in the summer.