QATARIS are in the running to buy Manchester United and are set to launch a takeover bid in DAYS.
The Glazers revealed in November that they were willing to listen to offers for either a stake in the Premier League giants or an outright purchase.
A number of parties have expressed an interest in buying United, which could be purchased for a world-record price for a sports franchise at close to, or above, £6billion.
Interest comes from the Far East, Middle East and United States with Raines Group, the merchant bank tasked with the sale.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who happens to be a Man Utd fan, is also keen.
But according to the Daily Mail, a Qatar-based investment group will bid for Man Utd.
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The report states that “a group of private, high-wealth individuals based in the oil-rich state, buoyed by Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup, have set their sights on” the Old Trafford club.
An offer is expected to be made in the coming days ahead of the mid-February deadline set by the Glazers.
The investment group are said to be confident that their bid blow any competition out of the water, and want to significantly boost manager Erik ten Hag’s transfer kitty.
As well as coughing up more than £6bn for the club, the Qatari group could face a project of redeveloping, or knocking down Old Trafford and building a new state-of-the-art facility.
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That could cost north of £2bn – but that would not be a problem.
The Qataris are also putting fan engagement at the heart of their takeover bid.
They will seek the views of supporters on the future of Old Trafford.
However, a stumbling block that could block a takeover is Qatar Sports Investments’ ownership of European juggernaut, Paris Saint-Germain.
One entity cannot own two clubs in the same competition — and United and PSG could meet in Europe.
The bid for United would come from separate, individual Qatari investors and there is ZERO interest in taking a partial stake – something the Glazers have been interested in.
A source is quoted as saying: “There are significant funds available.
“These people are serious. They want to make sure that United are where they should be and they are confident theirs will be the strongest bid.
“They want to strengthen the squad to put them back at the top but they also want this to be for the good of the community.
“They also want to build on the success of the World Cup.
“They recognise that Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world, the crown jewels, and there is a steely-minded determination to buy it and get it to where it should be.”
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A successful bid would enhance United’s rivalry with Manchester City, who are under ownership based in fierce Gulf neighbours, Abu Dhabi.
It would also see United go up against Saudi-owned Newcastle.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
