At the same time as Manchester United land their third straight win (4 – 2 over Brighton) and a poor YouTuber is closer than in a very long time to getting his hair done, there is new information about the purchase attempt from the Middle East.
New details about the “secret” consortium from the United Arab Emirates that are reportedly interested in buying Manchester United have emerged. Back in 2005, United were bought by the Glazer family for £790 million in a deal that meant Manchester United had to pick up a large part of the bill.
Read: Moving closer to job offer Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca unlikely to turn down
In recent years, however, supporters have expressed dissatisfaction with the owners, after years of poor performances on the pitch and a lack of investment off the pitch, especially when it comes to the stadium. In 2023, INEOS CEO and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a first 27.7 per cent stake – worth about £1.3 billion.
He then invested another £100 million to increase his stake to 28.94 percent in 2024.
Ratcliffe has also taken control of the “football operations” and had a role in the appointment of new chief executive Omar Berrada last year.
Earlier this month, it was reported that there is interest from the United Arab Emirates in taking over Manchester United, with separate claims suggesting that the Glazer family could be willing to sell if an offer of over £5 billion is made.
A Saudi Arabian government representative and sports organizer, Turki Alalshikh, tweeted: “The best news I heard today is that Manchester United are now in an advanced stage of finalizing a deal to sell to a new investor… I hope he is better than the previous owners.”
He then added, “I’m not the investor, nor are they from my country.”
It was previously claimed that several United legends were approached about becoming ambassadors for a possible bid.
According to I News, the “former players have also been approached about becoming investors.”
Meanwhile, a financial adviser who worked with Ratcliffe in his bid to buy United told I News: “We don’t know who they are, but we’ve been told that they’ve been chasing around for investment from several other wealthy parties in the Middle East, not just former players. That suggests they may not have anywhere near the money the Glazers would require to sell, and that a possible takeover is far, far away.”
In addition, it has been mentioned that if the Glazers were to sell United before February 2027, they would have to give Ratcliffe $33 per share – what he initially paid – under the terms of the original investment deal.
Read on F7: Pål Alexander Kirkevold does not extend with HamKam
