Kieran Maguire rubbishes Man United statement as Switzerland talks could now spark £235m deal
Man United have likely opened an office in Davos in order to court potential new front-of-shirt sponsors.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Red Devils' surprise presence at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
As relayed by the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday (17 January), United claim that the club-branded base is being used to entertain existing clients and commercial partners.
But, significantly, United are looking to strike a new front-of-shirt deal after buying back their rights from TeamViewer in December last year.
Commercial expert Ben Peppi told this site last Thursday (12 January) that the deal is likely to be worth in excess of the £235million they were due to pocket from TeamViewer over the course of the five-year contract length.
Maguire insists that the Davos office must be related to United's hunt for a new primary sponsor.
"I'm not sure I buy into Man United's official position," he told Football Insider's Adam Williams.
"There is no benefit in having an office at an event like this unless you think you can make a deal on the back of it.
"Existing partners and clients, you can meet at the day-to-day cocktail parties, so why have something that is specifically branded at Man United?
"They are looking to replace TeamViewer. It has been a broadly unsuccessful partnership for both parties. No one is quite sure what the company does and TeamViewer have overpaid.
"I take with a large dose of salt United's position that this is purely for entertaining existing partners. Existing partners would rather be entertained at the football rather than in a business environment."