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Manchester United’s current owners are “split” over whether to sell the club below asking price or retain control if no bidders meet their demands, a new report claims.
United’s acquisition process is heating up as the Glazer family’s Feb. 17 deadline to make offers fast approaches.
Several interested parties are said to be in the running. Along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, there is interest from investors from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
There are also American bidders like Steve Pagliuca who are interested in taking the reins at Old Trafford.
According to Foot Mercato via The Mirror, Jim Ratcliffe has made it more than clear that he won’t spend too much in his efforts to get United out of the hands of the Glazers.
The Peoples Person reported that Ratcliffe secured the services of Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to help provide funding to support his bid for the Red Devils.
Ratcliffe has told Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan that it will not exceed the £4bn price tag.
The Mirror reports: “Britain’s richest man faces a significant hurdle in his bid to buy the Red Devils. The owner of Ligue 1 side Nice is rumored to have made it clear that he will shell out no more than £4bn to secure the Premier League giants.”
Meanwhile, the outlet says family members can’t agree with each other.
“The Glazer family, the owners of Manchester United, do not know what price to expect for the club,” the report states.
The article reiterates that Ratcliffe is not sure the Glazers are serious about selling the club, given the unrealistic price tag.
If another bidder complies with the valuation, the difference of opinion on whether to lower the price by 50% will be moot. However, if they don’t, insisting on £6bn would rule Ratcliffe out. It remains to be seen which side of the family wins that battle.
