A Top Middle-East football official predicts that another 10 English clubs could be taken over by Saudi Arabian businessmen.

And Hafez Al-Medlej, chairman of the Saudi Professional League Commission, says Championship clubs could also be a target, particularly those in London.

Ali Al‑Faraj completed his deal with Portsmouth on Wednesday as they became the first Premier League club to fall into Saudi ownership. Prince Faisal (right) is set to resume talks with Liverpool co‑owner George Gillett next week about buying a minority stake in the club. Al-Medlej believes this could be just the start of an influx of massive investment from his country into the game and that interest won't be restricted to the top flight.

“In a year, I am sure at least 10 more investors will come,” he said. “Not necessarily to the Premier League. They might buy some clubs at Championship level.

“Last year I spoke to some people interested in those clubs. Their specific needs are they wanted a club whose average crowd is high, facilities are good and is in London. To buy a club from the Championship and bring it up is a better investment.”

Queens Park Rangers boast the wealthiest man in football — steel-magnate Lakshmi Mittal — but he owns only 20 per cent of the club.

The future of QPR's co-owner Flavio Briatore is still in doubt as the Football League continue their investigation as to whether he passes their fit and proper person' test in the wake of Formula One's Crashgate scandal.