Man United takeover: Update on agreement being ‘close’ after Turki Al-Sheikh claim
Man United have been subject to fresh takeover speculation with Middle Eastern investors reportedly lining up offers for the Glazer family’s shares.
United fans have spent years protesting against their U.S.A-based owners, and could now be closing in on major changes at the top of the club.
This comes after Saudi Arabian government official Turki Al-Sheikh claimed Man United are in the stages of completing a sale to a new investor.
He later clarified that he was not that investor, while they are also not linked to Saudi Arabia, with reports claiming the interest in Man United comes from a UAE-based consortium.
Football Insider revealed last month that the Glazers could be open to a sale of Man United once more progress is made on their new stadium project.
Man United takeover ‘unlikely’ as new update emerges
Football finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider on 13 October that a full takeover of Man United is unlikely given the ongoing on-pitch issues at Old Trafford.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the word from inside Old Trafford is that no takeover is imminent or even close as things stand.
While United remain an attractive proposition to investors as a result of their global influence and marketability, there are no suggestions that a takeover will happen soon.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “This all started on social media with Saudi advisor Turki Al-Sheikh making those comments that a takeover is close.
“There’s been no word from inside Manchester United that anything is happening or anything is close. I don’t think there’s anything immediate in this.
“Man United will continue to have this speculation because of the unrest between the supporters and the Glazer family, as they feel they should be back at the summit of football.
“Obviously, United will always be an attractive proposition to investors because they’re such a commercial and marketable juggernaut in Europe and world football.
“So that’s why they’ll always be interested in it.
“I’m a bit sceptical about all this latest situation about a potential takeover. We’ve seen it before and nothing’s really materialised.”
Man United released their latest accounts for 2024-25 in September, revealing their turnover increased from £661.8m to £666.5m.
How much will the Glazers demand to sell Man United?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7 per cent stake in Man United in February 2024 after agreeing a £1.25billion deal with the Glazers, valuing the club at close to £5bn.
However, the Glazers’s drag-along rights in Man United came into effect in August, 18 months after their deal with Ratcliffe was agreed.
It gives the American family the power to sell their stake and also force Ratcliffe into a sale in a full takeover of the club should the right offer emerge.
Ratcliffe has increased his stake in Man United to 28.9 per cent after injecting around £240million since initially investing in the club.
Meanwhile, The Glazers could land an extra £2.5bn if they were to trigger the sale of Man United, with the club now likely commanding a valuation in excess of £5billion.
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