Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City top football finance power list

Sheikh Mansour, a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling Al-Nahyan family, has invested heavily in City since the 2008 takeover. (Reuters)

MANCHESTER: Premier League leaders Manchester City have more financial muscle than any other club in world football, according to a study that sees English clubs dominate the top 10.
The Soccerex Football Finance 100, which ranks the world’s top teams based on both their playing and fixed assets, money in the bank, owner potential investment and debt, was published on Wednesday Jan. 3.
City, who are having a successful season on the pitch, lead the way ahead of Arsenal. Tottenham are fifth on the list ahead of seventh-placed Manchester United, with Chelsea in ninth.
According to the study, Arsenal have £766 million ($1 billion) worth of fixed assets following their move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium — more than any other club in world football, while only Manchester United have more money in the bank (£307 million) than Arsenal’s £300 million.
The annual report by event organizer Soccerex suggests that Arsenal have the monetary muscle to “invest significantly” in the transfer market.
Manchester City, for so long under-achievers in English football, have seen their fortunes transformed since a 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
They have won two Premier League titles in the past decade and Pep Guardiola’s team look certain to win it again this year as they are already 15 points clear of nearest challengers Manchester United.
“Manchester City, one of the most famous cases of significant foreign investment changing a club’s status and potential, top the rankings,” the study says. “Arsenal’s second place in the rankings, ahead of PSG (Paris Saint-Germain), will surprise many and is certainly a talking point in light of criticism the club receives from some quarters for its perceived lack of spending in the transfer market,” it adds.
“Their ranking is a reflection of the club’s professionalism and a sound business model. The position of financial strength means Arsenal could invest significantly should the hierarchy of the club choose to change their business strategy.”
Liverpool are 16th on the list, while 2016 Premier League champions Leicester are 20th. French giants PSG, who broke the transfer record to sign Neymar last summer, are third ahead of Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande. Real Madrid are sixth with their La Liga rivals Barcelona only 13th.