PSG's Qatari owner adds to squad with swoop on Belgian side

The Qatari owner of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has further underlined the voracious appetite of Gulf investors for European football clubs by agreeing a deal to buy a team in Belgium's Challenger Pro League.

Sky News understands that Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) has signed a memorandum of understanding to take full control of KAS Eupen, which is currently seventh in the league table. The deal is expected to be publicly announced later on Tuesday.

Sources close to the takeover said it marked a further step towards QSI's goal of building a multi-club ownership model which has become increasingly common across the global football industry in recent years. QSI is expected to move swiftly to strengthen Eupen's sporting model and expand its commercial operations as well as sharpening the club's focus on youth development and upgrading infrastructure.

One insider said the move would align with QSI's long-term strategy of "developing sports assets and building connected high-performance ecosystems across its portfolio". The Qataris are expected to take over Eupen's sporting operations immediately, they added.

As the owner of PSG, QSI is already one of the most powerful investors in the sport, with Gulf rivals Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia the owners of Manchester City and Newcastle United respectively. QSI also owns a significant minority interest in Sporting Club de Braga in Portugal, as well as interests outside football such as Art Basel and Premier Padel.

Until the deal with QSI, KAS Eupen was owned by Aspire, another Qatari entity unrelated to the new owner. In a statement issued to Sky News, Nasser al Khelaïfi, chairman of Qatar Sports Investments, said: "Qatar Sports Investments is proud to become the custodian of KAS Eupen and contribute to the development of football in Belgium.

"With QSI's global expertise and passion for football, our objective is to build a modern, competitive football and business structure - bringing pride to KAS Eupen supporters and building on the Club's great legacy to date. We warmly welcome into our family a fantastic club and community.".