Manchester United, a Premier League rival of Liverpool, is for sale.
Despite making a bid for Manchester United, a banker from Qatar is unsure that the team will be sold.
Last November, the Glazer family made the decision to list United. Only a few weeks prior, it was revealed that Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), had taken a similar action. FSG, though, is only aiming to sell a small portion of its holdings.
It has been suggested that the Glazers could sell 100% of United. Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani has been one of the leading frontrunners to buy the club, along with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Sheikh Jassim recently made a fifth take-it-or-leave-it bid reported to be around £6 billion.
The Guardian reports that Sheikh Jassim is becoming frustrated at how long the sale process is taking, though, and is still to receive a response to his latest offer from the Raine Group, the investment bank working on behalf of the Glazers
Ratcliffe’s offer is said to be for more than 50% of United and one or several of the Glazers could retain a minority share
Certainly, FSG are likely to have kept a close eye on the takeover process at United. Both Liverpool and the Red Devils are England’s two most successful clubs. If United is to be sold then FSG could use the price as a barometer for what they could earn from selling a stake of Liverpool. Financial experts Forbes value United at £4.72 billion and Liverpool at £4.16 billion
Principal owner John Henry confirmed earlier this year that he had been in talks with potential investors. Speaking to the Boston Sports Journal, he said: “I know there has been a lot of conversation and quotes about Liverpool, but I keep to the facts: We merely formalised an ongoing process.
“Will we be in England forever? No. Are we selling Liverpool? No. Are talking with investors about Liverpool? Yes. Will something happen there? I believe so, but it won’t be a sale. Have we sold anything in the past 20-plus year
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