NaijNaira
Details have emerged about a proposed £6bn takeover of Manchester United by Qatari investors.
This takeover bid could bring an incredible transfer budget for Erik ten Hag and possible plans to rebuild Old Trafford.
The Glazer family, who have owned Man Utd since 2005, recently expressed interest in investors or full sale of the club, which is valued between £6bn to £8bn.
While British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in potential negotiations to buy the club, nothing has been confirmed yet and this delay has opened up an opportunity for the wealthy Qatari group.
This group would consider Man Utd as one of football’s “crown jewels” and plan to make their offer public before mid-February.
Their huge offer could blow their competition out of the water and they are confident of getting their hands on the iconic football club.
If the recently rumoured prospective new owners of Manchester United from Qatar get the purchase through, they could have big plans for the club.
They may choose to knock down Old Trafford and rebuild a new state-of-the-art facility.
However, they may also opt to redevelop it instead, which would both bring it up to date and ensure fan engagement is included in any major decisions.
On top of this, one of the biggest changes would come with manager Erik Ten Hag’s transfer war chest – giving him unlimited funds so he can sign some of world football’s elite talents.
To that end, Ten Hag will be allowed the freedom to potentially sign any player of his wish to return United to the pinnacle of English and European football.
As such, the recent duopoly enjoyed by Manchester City and Liverpool could soon come crashing to a halt. City are the reigning Premier League champions and have won four of the last five titles.
But their domination could end if the new group get their way. “There are significant funds available,” they said.
“These people are serious. They want to make sure that United are where they should be. And they are confident theirs will be the strongest bid.
“They want to strengthen the squad to put them back at the top. But they also want this to be for the good of the community.
“They also want to build on the success of the World Cup. They recognise that Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world, the crown jewels.
“There is a steely-minded determination to buy it and get it to where it should be.”
A successful takeover bid will also see United and City form a new Qatar-Abu Dhabi rivalry. It would also see them go up against Saudi Arabian-owned Newcastle United, with the Gulf neighbours fierce rivals. The group at this stage remains anonymous.
However, the Mail points out that the Emir of Qatar, head of its absolute monarchy, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is a committed United fan who is well aware of the club’s history.
Any takeover bid would need Premier League approval and would be subject to fierce scrutiny.
