Sheikh Jassim’s bid for 100 percent control of the club promises to wipe United’s $620 million debt and invest in a new stadium and training ground, in addition to backing for the men’s and women’s teams. A source close to Sheikh Jassim’s bid said he remains confident his bid is “the best for the club, fans and local community.” INEOS chemical company founder Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan, has been more circumspect in his assessment, insisting he will not pay a “stupid” price in bidding war for one of football’s most iconic clubs. “How do you decide the price of a painting? How do you decide the price of a house? It’s not related to how much it cost to build or how much it cost to paint,” Ratcliffe told the Wall Street Journal this week. “What you don’t want to do is pay stupid prices for things because then you regret it subsequently.”
Ratcliffe, who wants the 69 percent stake owned by the Glazer family, said his interest in United would be “purely in winning things”, calling the club a “community asset”. Deeply unpopular with supporters since they saddled the club with debt in a £790 million leveraged takeover in 2005, the Glazers appeared ready to cash out at an enormous profit when they invited external investment in November. However, they could yet shun the option of selling a controlling stake in the club with other parties interested in a minority shareholding.
The initial offers from the first round of bidding last month were believed to have been worth around £4.5 billion. That would surpass the Premier League record of £2.5 billion paid for Chelsea last year by a consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital, with a further £1.75 billion promised in investment in infrastructure and players. Bidders are expected to hear from United next week, with another round of bidding still in play. If one bid is vastly ahead of the others, it could be chosen to enter into a period of exclusivity, which would allow further negotiation ahead of a final sale.
Ratcliffe visited Old Trafford last Friday along with INEOS representatives, a day after a delegation from Sheikh Jassim’s group toured the club’s stadium and training ground to hold more talks as part of their due diligence.
United, three-time European champions, haven’t won the Premier League since legendary boss Alex Ferguson led them to a 20th English title in his final season before retiring in 2013. But they are enjoying a renaissance under Erik ten Hag’s management this season and ended a six-year trophy drought by lifting the League Cup last month.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Islamic countries should form an alliance against what…
A rare snake species known as the blunt-nosed viper and other reptiles, especially the geico…
As Pakistan prepares to celebrate the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on September…
PCB Director High-Performance, Tournament Director Champions One Day Cup Nadeem Khan has said that the…
The Health experts addressing a symposium on Saturday stressed lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes which…
Pakistan's combined contingent is all set to participate in the 5th World Nomad Games, scheduled…
Leave a Comment