Manchester United owners, the Glazer family, want £6bn for the club, with the Emir of Qatar making his opening gambit
Manchester United are set to receive a £4 billion bid for the club from the Emir of Qatar.
United were put up for sale by their deeply unpopular owners, the Glazer family, this season and it is believed that they are a target for both the Qatar Investment Fund(opens in new tab) and INEOS entrepreneur and fan, Sir Jim Ratcliffe(opens in new tab). The Glazers are said to value the club at around £6bn.
But a first bid from the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is expected before Friday’s deadline – making United richer than they ever have been.
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the World Cup trophy as Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, look on (Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Bin Hamad al-Thani is thought to be worth around £276bn(opens in new tab) – and though that would not necessarily equate to United having that much money to spend it would make plenty of dreams true for the club. Talk of demolishing Old Trafford is one idea, backed by former captain, Gary Neville.
Despite the bid, though, it appears that there are complications that need to be ironed out. The emir owns Paris Saint-Germain via Qatar Sports Investments – and this could be a problem in UEFA competition. The governing body, currently, does not allow clubs that can meet in the same continental competition to have the same proprietor.
But given that both Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig can compete in the Champions League, finding an arrangement should be a formality. According to the Guardian(opens in new tab), “A solution is being sought, the current one being to demonstrate that United would not be administered by the same structure and personnel as PSG”.
The Glazer family put United up for sale in November(opens in new tab), announcing that they were “commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives” after 17 years in control of the club.
Manchester United’s Glazer family ownership are deeply unpopular with fans (Image credit: N/A)
It is believed that the Glazers are wanting more money than the Emir is currently offering. However, the emir believes £4.5bn is a realistic price – perhaps reflected in former Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton’s assertion that clubs outside of London are not worth as much as those in the capital.
Amnesty International has warned that an imminent Qatari bid for Manchester United should be a “wake-up call” to the Premier League(opens in new tab) to strengthen its ownership rules.
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Formal bids are set to be submitted to buy United. The club had a quiet January window but brought in Marcel Sabitzer on deadline day after Christian Eriksen picked up a long-term injury.
Former United chairman Martin Edwards, meanwhile, has spoken to FFT about how the club’s 1991 European Cup Winners’ Cup victory helped changed the perception of English football across the continent.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Man Utd are set to sign ‘fantastic’ striker on four-year deal
Manchester United are set to sign Cardiff youngster Gabriele Biancheri on a four-year contract, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer window is now closed for business for another season, with United adding three players to their squad.
Wout Weghorst, Jack Butland and Marcel Sabitzer are all now part of the first team setup until the end of the season, with the trio having signed on loan deals.
But although business in the Premier League has been completed, the deal for Biancheri did not have to be finalised by the deadline.
The 16-year-old forward, who has represented Wales at under-17 level, has caught the attention of top clubs through his performances for Cardiff.
He has netted on 17 occasions at age-group levels this season, and Cardiff U18 manager Steve Jenkins was full of praise for the youngster last month.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
He said (via Tribal Football): “There’s a long way to go, with him only being 16, but he’s been fantastic stepping up.
“Goals are brilliant for him, and his two against Bristol City to win us the game earned that call up to the U21s, and when he had his 45 minutes for them I was really impressed.”
Now, he is reportedly set to seal a huge move.
Man Utd set to sign Cardiff wonderkid
Fabrizio Romano says United will complete the signing of Biancheri after the forward passed a medical.
He tweeted: “Manchester United are set to complete the signing of young talent, 2006-born striker Gabriele Biancheri from Cardiff City.
Understand it’s four-year pro contract now completed, just waiting for FIFA approval to finalise the deal.”
Biancheri will sign a scholar contract at first with United, as he is yet to turn 17. Once he reaches his 17th birthday in September, he will then be on professional terms.
And whilst a senior debut may be some time away, United fans can certainly look forward to seeing another young striker develop through their system, and potentially make the first team squad in a few years’ time.
Source: fourfourtwo.com; sportbible.com
