Major change in sight for Manchester United.
Last November, the Glazer family, owners of the Red Devils since 2005, assured that they wanted to hand over.
"
The board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment in the club, sale or other transactions involving the company
," said an official statement from the Mancunian club.
And the candidates for the takeover of the legendary English club have until Friday evening (11 p.m. French time) to submit their offer to Raine Group, the bank mandated to receive the proposals.
A brief overview of the most important contenders.
To discover
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Qatari private funds
Qatar should apply.
According to various sources, including
L'Équipe
and
RMC Sport
, Qatari private funds supported by the Emirate are expected to submit an offer of more than 4 billion euros on Friday.
A substantial sum but less than the 5.6 billion (approximately) hoped for by the Glazer family.
It should be noted that the sovereign investment fund of Qatar, Qatar Investment Authority, which owns Paris Saint-Germain through its subsidiary Qatar Sports Investments, would not be involved.
On the other hand, Hamad ben Jassim ben Jaber Al Thani, who is part of the Emir's family, would be one of the "
leaders
" of this takeover project, according to the latest revelations from
L'Équipe
.
Saudi investors
The takeover of Manchester United is also of interest in Saudi Arabia.
According to the information revealed by
The Telegraph
, "
several private groups in Riyadh have formally inquired
", with Raine Group.
Better, “
intermediaries acting on behalf of several groups in the country have signed to have access to the documents relating to the sale
”, specifies the British daily.
However, it remains to be seen whether the owners of Manchester United will receive an official offer from Saudi investors by this Friday evening.
As a reminder, the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's public investment fund, bought Newcastle United in October 2021 for just over €350 million.
Read alsoPremier League: Manchester United and Tottenham soon to be sold?
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Ineos
Jim Ratcliffe, owner of the petrochemical group Ineos, which owns OGC Nice and FC Lausanne-Sport, among others, has publicly positioned himself.
"
If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer
," said his spokesman last summer.
In his takeover ambition, the British businessman is said to be backed by investment banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, reports
Sky Sports
.
Read also“Compete with PSG”: Ratcliffe’s (very) ambitious speech for OGC Nice
Elon Musk
Recognized supporter of Manchester United, Elon Musk could also make an official offer.
The Daily Mail assures that the owner of Tesla and Twitter would monitor the situation.
In any case, he has the financial means to position himself.
However, it seems that his name was mostly mentioned because of a joke he started on Twitter last summer.
"
And I'm buying Manchester United, you're welcome
," he posted.
Before adding: “
No, it's a long-standing joke on Twitter.
I don't buy any sports teams.
Will he surprise everyone again by submitting an offer by tonight?
