Kieran Maguire suggests new £5billion Man United bidder amid ‘leak’ claim
There is ‘potential’ for a new bidder to join the Man United takeover race but it would have likely been leaked to the press by now.
That is the opinion of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about any alternative bids that could spring a surprise in the United takeover saga.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim are currently the two frontrunners to complete a majority takeover of the Red Devils should the Glazers decide to depart Old Trafford.
Both parties were granted an extension to their bidding deadlines after neither submitted a finalised bid by the initial 9pm deadline on Wednesday, March 22.
Sky Sports reported that bids of over £5billion were anticipated, with as many as eight proposals expected to be put forward to the Raine Group.
Maguire believes it is unlikely that there is another major bidder that hasn’t been revealed yet, but insisted we will have to wait until a deal is agreed for all the details to be revealed.
“Given the size of the Man United takeover story and the amount of information that has been spread around, any other major bids likely would have been leaked by now,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“Unless you are prepared to pay a significant brand premium for Man United, it’s difficult to see why hedge funds would want to fish in the £4-5billion pond for a takeover.
“Given that the club does need a significant overhaul in terms of infrastructure asset spend and arguably for more talent too.
“That all adds to the cost, as does the existing debt.
“There is potential for other funds willing to act on behalf of others, but it’s likely that any alternative bidders won’t be revealed until a deal is done and agreed.“
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