We examine all the most recent information regarding the club’s potential takeover as the “soft” deadline for Man United takeover proposals is this Friday.
Emir of Qatar set to make £4bn bid
Before Friday’s “soft” deadline, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is expected to submit an offer that exceeds £4 billion.
The Guardian also asserts that those leading the bid will not exceed £4.5 billion despite the Glazers’ £6 billion asking price.
Qatar is unwilling to overpay, despite the Glazer family’s demand that they receive at least £5 billion for United. They “won’t dance to the Glazers’ song if they decide to bid,” according to an insider.
The Emir was in Rome this morning, and there are backup arrangements if he travels to France to watch Paris Saint-Germain face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the ruling emir of Qatar, is a Manchester United fan and unlikely to want to let slip the chance to own what is widely regarded as one of the world’s biggest sports brands. [@business]
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) February 13, 2023
UEFA will not block Qatar’s ownership of Man United
The bidders from the Middle Eastern state are given a big boost by a recent Daily Mail report that claims UEFA won’t prevent Qatar from purchasing Manchester United.
Although Qatar Sports Investments currently owns Paris Saint-Germain, it is believed that a different organisation will make the offer for United. If UEFA agrees to them making an offer this week, this may tip the scales in their favour.
Is Elon Musk interested in the Man United takeover?
According to recent reports, Musk is one of the potential buyers for Manchester United.
The Daily Mail reports that the owner of Twitter and Tesla is debating whether the opportunity at Old Trafford is too excellent to pass up.
Musk is rumoured to have a massive net worth of £157 billion and may team up with a party interested in the attempt to lead it.
Musk has previously made jokes about buying United. Still, the claims seem to have a little more weight because the corporate billionaire is reportedly a lifelong supporter of the team.
Elon Musk is believed to be interested in making a £4.5bn move to buy Man Utd [@MikeKeegan_DM]
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) February 13, 2023
Interest from Saudi Arabia?
According to a separate Daily Mail report, “several parties” from Saudi Arabia have already been granted access to the club’s alleged “data room” to review its financial information.
Those parties must have informed Raine of their interest and signed confidentiality agreements for it to be granted.
Despite that, it’s alleged that it’s unclear whether a formal proposal will come next.
Furthermore, it is emphasised that none of the parties is connected to Public Investment Fund (PIF), the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, which acquired Premier League opponent Newcastle United about 16 months ago.
Avram and Joel Glazer are exploring buying out siblings
According to MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, as potential investors get ready to submit their proposals, United co-chairmen Joel Glazer and Avram Glazer are looking into the possibilities of buying out their four siblings on the club board.
Three months after the Glazers stated they had begun a process “to investigate strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth,” a soft deadline of February 17 has been set for interested parties to formally lay out their strategy.
Bryan, Edward, Darcie, and Kevin, siblings of Joel and Avram, are United’s board members.
