Qatar in talks for Tottenham Hotspur stadium sponsorship

English Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur has reportedly opened talks with sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority regarding naming rights for its redeveloped stadium in London.

UK publication The Times reports that negotiations with QIA have intensified after Qatar Airways’ sponsorship of Spanish team FC Barcelona appeared to be coming to a close.

The flag carrier confirmed a one-year extension to its three-year sponsorship of the club in July with a $38m deal lasting until the end of June 2017.

Read: Qatar Airways logo back on FC Barcelona kit

Tottenham has approached up to 300 companies, institutions and investment vehicles regarding the naming rights deals for the redeveloped 61,000-seater White Hart Lane ground, believed to be priced at $198m (£150m), according to the publication.

The ground is expected to open at the start of the 2018-2019 season, with the club playing Champions League games at the national Wembley Stadium until it is finished.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates holds naming rights for the stadium of Tottenham rival Arsenal some 30 miles away and paid roughly the same amount in Sterling for a five-year extension to the deal in 2012, including shirt sponsorship and marketing rights.

Read: Emirates, Arsenal Sign $240m Partnership

Arsenal’s ground will continue to be known as Emirates Stadium up until 2028.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways also holds naming rights for the ground of Sheikh Mansour-owned Manchester City but Qatar currently lacks the same presence in England’s top tier football league.

Read: Manchester City group ready to add more clubs to roster