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Bahrain-based businessman Ahsan Ali Syed has dreams of helping unfashionable football team Blackburn Rovers compete with the giants of the English Premiership ... with a bit of David Beckham's magic thrown into the pot.
He has stepped up his bid to buy the club after his Western Gulf Advisory (WGA) investment vehicle was given a four-week period of exclusivity to check the club's accounts.
The Bahrain-Swiss investment company signed a memorandum of understanding with Blackburn on Monday before beginning detailed due diligence.
Syed has reportedly allocated 300 million pounds to complete the takeover, cover outstanding debts and 'provide the necessary capital to buy new players and invest over the longer term so it can once again become a title contender'.
And the football fanatic would love to have Beckham - one of the world's most charismatic football stars - on board for the dream journey.
"I am not entering football as an entrepreneur. It's because of my love for football. I am not entering to make millions or move from rags to riches," Syed told GulfWeekly,
"I am doing this because football is my passion and I am not seeing it as a money-making vehicle. To make money I look into industries and other businesses.
"Blackburn suits my investment philosophy. It has a potential to grow and I have always been interested in what I consider to be undervalued investments.
"Liverpool, for example, may be 'up for sale' but with all due respect that club is very big. But creating a name and increasing the brand status of Blackburn is more challenging and I love a good challenge. This is why I think Blackburn is the best bet for me.
"When I was younger I was more into supporting national teams rather than clubs playing in the English Premiership. But my fantasy has grown with the league, especially after being in the UK for five years.
"I was 26 when I started following the Premier League. I used to like Blackburn back then and also used to follow Manchester United's fortunes because of David Beckham.
"If my finances allow and his intentions are positive then I would love to take Beckham.
"I am thankful to God for blessing me with all that I have. I have sufficient funds and I think if all the terms are agreed I could definitely own this club, but as a fan not just as an owner."
WGA said that it would 'discuss the potential business and investment strategy including the transfer of new players' with Rovers chairman John Williams and manager Sam Allardyce.
"For a period of four weeks WGA will explore the financial situation of the club," said a statement. "Over this four-week period WGA has been granted exclusivity which means no other bidder can buy the club or look into Blackburn's books."
Syed, 36, an Indian, is a lawyer who studied at the London School of Economics, and his company has recently diversified by making a number of investments in Australia and Europe.
He currently lives in Busaiteen but is constructing a new home in Saar and plans to buy a 'second home' in Blackburn if the deal goes through as a way of reassuring Blackburn fans that his intentions are sincere.
The club was established in 1875, becoming a founding member of The Football League in 1888. In 1992, Blackburn was promoted to the new Premier League a year after being taken over by local steel baron Jack Walker. In 1995, Blackburn became champions and the only side other than the big three - Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United - to win it. The club's Latin motto is 'Arte et labore' which translates to 'By Skill & Hard Work'.
"If I was only after the money then I would have chased a big club," Syed explained. "But I have always enjoyed how Blackburn was created.
"I like how they have loyal fans and I want to be a part of them - like a family. If I wanted to make money I could have gone elsewhere. I am looking into them because of their strong substantial base and I am planning on staying there for a long time.
"I am looking for options to buy a house in Lancashire to be a native and a true Blackburn fan. I want to speak the local language of the fans and be seen as one of them - not just as an owner. I always want to be known that way."
