Sources: Four US groups submit Man United takeover proposals
At least four United States-based finance groups have submitted funding proposals to Man United takeover brokers Raine Group, sources have told Football Insider.
Their proposals are to provide capital either for a third party to complete a buyout or for the Glazer family themselves, who could still choose to remain in situ at Old Trafford if their valuation is not met.
The two confirmed bidders for a full takeover – Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group and a Qatari coalition led by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani – are believed to have submitted bids of around £5billion.
That is some way short of the £6bn valuation that the Glazers have advertised, which many industry analysts insist is unrealistic given that a new owner would also have to foot an enormous bill to upgrade the club’s infrastructure.
Elliott Management are the only other party to have publicly declared their interest in financing a deal on behalf of a third party, although fellow US firm Ares Management are also believed to be in the mix.
It is understood that two more American groups have also made it to the next and final stage of the process, which will see the Glazers evaluate proposals before a final decision before the end of the season.
Sources with intimate knowledge of the situation have told this site that, while Finnish billionaire Thomas Zilliacus has made contact with Raine Group, his bid has been met with short thrift.
Representatives from each of the groups to have made it to the final juncture in the takeover operation visited Old Trafford last week.
There, they were given bespoke presentations and granted access to United’s most confidential financial information, including the most in-depth details of player contracts and commercial deals.
In other news, Sheikh Jassim is “huge” Jude Bellingham fan as Man United plot record bid.