Mohammed Bin Salman, a Saudi crown prince, is reportedly planning to buy Premier League giants Manchester United.
British tabloid, Daily Mail, reports that Salman, who currently holds the second highest position in the Saudi government behind the king, wants to challenge the Abu Dhabi-based owners of rival club, Manchester City, in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old, who is worth £850 billion, is determined to make his mark in world football as part of his huge Middle East investment and views the club as a perfect fit.
According to the report, United’s current co-chairman, Avram Glazer, is expected to fly to Riyadh next week, in a deal that could cost the new interest more than £3 billion. However, the report added that if the owners decided not to sell the club out rightly, the crown prince could in buy part of the franchise.
Already, Saudi Arabia have established interests in sport, with purchases in both Formula 1 and World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, but securing investment in football has been a difficult venture.
Though the report said it is unclear whether the Glazer family would be willing to sell the club, and once dismissed a report saying they would sell the club since they took over in 2005.
Avram recent trips to the Middle East have fuelled rumours of an imminent sale.
He is even due to attend the Future Investment Initiative conference in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh next week, alongside leading bankers and investors around the world.
Manchester United’s current share price values is said to be more than £2.5 billion in value, which is a slight fall from the record high of £3.1 billion in August.
It is understood that any offer to the Glazers would have to be significantly higher, given the earning power and global brand of the club.
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