Enlarge image
Manchester United Stadium
Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP
A consortium from Qatar led by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted an official bid in the takeover bid for the traditional English football club Manchester United.
The consortium announced this on Friday.
Initially, nothing was known about the amount of the offer, but information would be given "in due course".
Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is the older brother of Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who had already acquired French champions Paris St. Germain in 2011 through the state fund Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).
The Emir was also said to have an interest in Man United, but a full takeover would not be allowed under current UEFA regulations because of his investment in PSG.
The Qataris would probably circumvent these regulations by hiring Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank.
Owning family open for sale
Before the Qataris, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's company Ineos had submitted an offer.
In addition, the British newspaper "Daily Telegraph" reported on Saudi Arabia's interest in taking over the top club.
United has a history of working with Saudi Telecom, the Asian country's largest telecommunications company.
At league rivals Newcastle, the consortium that owns 80 percent is Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.
The American Glazer family, who completed their takeover of the 20-time England champions in 2005, announced in November that they were open to a sale.
The Glazers are said to be asking for 5.6 billion euros, a sale for this amount would be the most expensive deal in sports history.
United have not won the Premier League since 2013 and have not clinched a title since 2017.
Erik ten Hag's team is currently third in the table.
dop/sid