Manchester United are reportedly furious with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to buy the club as they are convinced that the Nice owner has no intention of meeting the Glazers’ demand for offers in excess of £6billion.
The 70-year-old confirmed that he has begun the process of sealing a takeover for United earlier this month. He became the first party to make a move since the Glazer family put the club up for sale in November, after a spokesman told the Times his intentions to buy the Red Devils.
United are the second Premier League team that Ratcliffe has attempted to complete a deal for over the past year. Chelsea were in his sights before Todd Boehly swooped in to complete a deal. The American spent over £4billion on the London outfit, but Ratcliffe will have to pay significantly more to take over at the Red Devils.
And according to the Daily Mail, United chiefs are “scathing” at Ratcliffe’s supposed bid and do not believe he will meet or better their asking price for the Old Trafford club. The Glazers had initially set an asking price of around £8.28bn, but they have been told this is unrealistic in the current market.
As of June 2022, according to Forbes, Real Madrid is the most valued football club in the world at £4.22bn, with Barcelona merely behind at £4.20bn. It is understood the Glazers are now holding out for offers in excess of £6bn, which would therefore be a world record purchase for a football club.
In November, they released this statement on United’s official club website: “Manchester United plc, one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company’s Board of Directors is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club.
“The process is designed to enhance the club’s future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalise on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.
(
Icon Sport via Getty Images)
“As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company. This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders.”
Whilst Ratcliffe is in the running for a takeover at Old Trafford, he is likely to face competition from elsewhere. According to the Daily Star back in November, bosses at technology giants Apple have expressed an interest in discussing a potential deal to buy United.
Qatari and Saudi Arabian takeover attempts have also been touted, whilst there is also reportedly interest from the USA and Asia.
