Sources: Man United confident of agreeing world-record deal
Man United are lining up a world-record price for a sports franchise that would be triple the sum paid for Chelsea during the summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Glazer family released a statement on Tuesday night saying that they were trying to find new investment, either to acquire a share of the club, or buy it outright, which would end their 17-year ownership.
In a move that echoes that of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group earlier this month, United have appointed the American bank the Raine Group to find a buyer.
It is believed the Glazers are seeking buyers prepared to pay up to "£8billion" for the club.
They are confident of agreeing a world-record deal for a sports club or franchise as a result of United's digital potential and one billion supporters globally, as well as its tradition and history.
Joe Ravitch, the co-founder of the Raine Group, said: “United is not just a football club when it has such a huge global fanbase.”
The Glazers have been deeply unpopular owners since buying the club in 2004 in a £790million deal that was extensively funded by debt.
The club was valued at £3.7billion by Forbes in the summer, but United chiefs are confident of out-stripping that sum, as they are prepared to bide their time to find the right buyer.
A sale at the £8billion price wanted would more than triple the £2.5bn deal that Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital struck to buy Chelsea in June.
There was a guarantee of a further £1.75 billion investment in the club.