Nigerian businessman Dozy Mmobuosi has reportedly pumped an eight-figure sum into Sheffield United to help the Championship club stave off administration as he plots a £90 million takeover of the Blades.
Despite experiencing financial problems off the field, the Yorkshire outfit are flying high in the English second-tier and currently find themselves 12 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough in the race for promotion to the Premier League.
Should the club slip into administration, though, that advantage would be wiped out by a points deduction.
Per the Daily Mail, avoiding that scenario is one of the main reasons why Mmobuosi has committed to funding the club while he awaits permission from the EFL to formally assume control at Bramall Lane.
With his planned takeover from current owner Prince Abdullah firmly in mind, Mmobuosi is also believed to have had significant influence over the club's January transfer activity, insisting that Paul Heckingbottom's side keep hold of key players such as Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye, who were both the subject of interest from Premier League clubs on deadline day.
For Sheffield United, the cash injection is a vital lifeline. To Mmobuosi, however, the eight-figure sum is essentially pocket change.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: A general view from inside the stadium ahead of kickoff during the Sky Bet Championship between Sheffield United and Stoke City at Bramall Lane on January 14, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
What does Dozy Mmobuosi do and how much is he worth?
Today, Mmobuosi is the CEO of Tingo International Holdings and is believed to be worth more than £7billion.
However, per Yorkshire Live, the 43-year-old entrepreneur first made his mark in the business world when he founded Tingo Mobile PLC back in 2001.
The tech company, which allows farmers in Africa and around the world to manage their sales using their smartphones, was a huge hit.
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Following that success, Mmobuosi went on to develop and launch 'Flashmecash' - Nigeria's first SMS banking solution.
That company was later sold for a considerable profit, before the shrewd businessman became heavily involved in mobile phone production in his homeland.
Unsurprisingly, should Mmobuosi succeed in taking over at Sheffield United, he will instantly become the Championship's richest owner.
Why does Dozy Mmobuosi want to buy Sheffield Utd?
Speaking earlier this month, renowned football finance expert Kieran Maguire earlier this month explained why the club was an enticing proposition for would-be investors, particularly after regaining ownership of their stadium back in 2020 after a long legal battle.
"The stadium issues have been resolved at Bramall Lane, the club is in a very strong position in terms of going up and again that’ll be reflected in the price. Bournemouth sold for £120-130 million in the Premier League.
“United have a big fan base and Sheffield is a big city, it’s a football city as well. That’s no disrespect to Bournemouth or my club Brighton, but we’re not a football city. We’ve got a great football club but we’re not a football city.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Paul Heckingbottom, Manager of Sheffield United, applauds the fans following the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Hull City at Bramall Lane on January 20, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
"And that doesn’t mean the fans are any less passionate at those clubs, but Sheffield United can point to that history and that heritage and sense of community. And I think that’s very attractive to a prospective owner because you’re buying into that noise you get with a club like Sheffield United."
With the club well-placed for promotion already - and their prospective new owner having very deep pockets indeed - fans of the Blades might be about to make a lot of noise in the Premier League.
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