Manchester United‘s house owners, the Glazer Household, are in search of a world document value for a sports activities franchise if they’re to promote the membership, sources have informed ESPN.
The Glazers issued a press release on Tuesday to say they’re “strategic alternatives” together with exterior funding or a sale.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)
Sources have informed ESPN a full takeover is the probably consequence, though the Glazer household will solely settle for a suggestion that may make United the most costly sports activities membership ever.
Chelsea fetched £2.5 billion ($3.02bn) and the Denver Broncos £3.85bn ($4.65bn) after they had been each bought earlier this yr.
Forbes’ newest valuation places United at £3.8bn ($4.59bn) however sources have informed ESPN the Glazers imagine they will entice presents in extra of £6bn ($7.25bn).
Sources near the method have informed ESPN that the assertion issued on Tuesday was intentionally obscure as to not weaken the Glazers’ negotiating place.
Whereas co-chairman Joel Glazer continues to be closely concerned within the day-to-day working of the membership, different Glazer siblings have “differences in strategy” and imagine it’s the proper time to promote.
Co-chairman Avram Glazer informed Sky Information on Wednesday: “As we announced, the board went through a process and it was decided it’s going to look at different strategic alternatives and that’s what we’re doing.
“We have gone by way of a course of, we will take a look at all completely different strategic alternate options and we’ll see the place it leads us.”
Sources have told ESPN that The Raine Group, named as the Glazers’ “unique monetary advisor” after dealing with the sale of Chelsea to LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and his consortium, haven’t put a deadline on receiving presents for United and there may be an expectation that lots of the identical events who took half within the course of to purchase Chelsea will register their curiosity.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan who made a suggestion to purchase Chelsea earlier than the sale to Boehly, is but to touch upon hypothesis that he might be among the many bidders.