Man United takeover latest: Glazers ‘increasingly confident of remaining owners’

The Glazers are ‘increasingly confident of remaining Manchester United owners’ as the third round of bidding for potential suitors approaches… with the Old Trafford chiefs ‘aiming to extend their stay by securing outside investment’

  • American private equity firms have expressed interest in taking a minority stake
  • Man United’s co-chairman reportedly favour this option rather than a full sale
  • Buyers have until the end of the month to table an offer that meets the valuation 

Manchester United co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer are reportedly growing increasingly confident of remaining in control of the club by securing outside investment.

The Glazer family last week announced a third round of bidding for the club, with offers expected to land before the end of the month.

Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus refused to take part in any further bids following the move.

That left Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, of Qatar, and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the only publicly interested parties in a full takeover.

Several American investment funds have expressed an interest in taking a minority stake in the club.

Joel and Avram Glazer are reportedly growing confident of remaining in charge of Man United

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is one of three public bidders for Man United

Qatari Sheikh Jassim's group entered their second offer for the club in March

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) and Qatari Sheikh Jassim (right) are two front-runners to buy United and have already submitted two bids to take ownership of the club

According to ESPN, this interest has made the Glazers ‘increasingly confident’ of remaining in control of the club.

Joel and Avram Glazer reportedly favour the option rather than a full takeover.

This would allow their other four siblings Bryan, Kevin, Edward and Darcie, who are thought to be keen on a full sale, to sell their respective stakes.

The co-chairman reportedly believe the club’s value could almost double to £10billion in the coming years due to expected increases in broadcast revenue and streaming opportunities.

The Glazers had announced back in November that they would consider ‘all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions’.

New investment would allow the Glazers to stay in charge and provide the funds necessary to upgrade Old Trafford or build a new stadium and refurbish the club’s training ground.

However, it would not be popular with the majority of United’s fanbase.

The Glazers have have been a source of contention at Old Trafford ever since they became majority owners in 2005, facing significant fan anger and backlash. 

Minority investment would allow the Glazers to upgrade Old Trafford and remain in control

Minority investment would allow the Glazers to upgrade Old Trafford and remain in control

After taking over the club through a leveraged buyout which placed £525million worth of loans onto the brand of United, the Glazers have taken more than £1bn out of United in the form of dividends, interests, costs and fees.

There have been growing concerns no outright sale will happen, with the Glazers understood to want at least £6bn for the club. 

Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s offers are believed to be in the region of £5bn.

US outfit Elliott Investment Management are one of a number of groups offering cash in exchange for a partial stake.

Private equity firm Carlyle last week emerged as another contender to take a minority stake after contacting Raine Group, the New York based bank overseeing the sale.

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