The world of football is abuzz with news of a potential record-breaking sale of Manchester United. The club, which is currently owned by the American Glazer family, is reportedly being eyed by two potential buyers: British billionaire Michael Dell and Qatari Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. The deal, which is estimated to be worth $7.3 billion, would be the largest in the history of football.
The Glazer family has been the owner of Manchester United since 2005 and has been looking to sell the club for some time. The family initially put the club up for sale in October 2019, but the process was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, it appears that the sale process is now back on track with both Dell and Al Thani vying for the club.
Dell is the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies and is worth an estimated $27 billion. He is reportedly interested in buying the club as a personal investment and has already made a bid of $6.8 billion. Al Thani, meanwhile, is the former Prime Minister of Qatar and is worth an estimated $2.7 billion. He has also made a bid for the club, though the exact amount is not known.
Both bids have been accepted by the Glazer family, who have now extended the sale process until the end of June 2021. This extension gives both bidders more time to negotiate and come to an agreement on a final price for the club. It also gives other potential buyers more time to enter the fray if they so wish.
The sale of Manchester United could have far-reaching implications for the football world. If either Dell or Al Thani are successful in their bids, they will become the first non-British owners of one of the world’s most iconic clubs. This could potentially lead to a shift in power in European football, with new owners likely to bring in new ideas and strategies.
The sale of Manchester United is set to be one of the biggest stories in football this year and it remains to be seen who will ultimately be successful in their bid. The Glazer family have extended the sale process until June 2021, so it could be some time before we know who will be taking over at Old Trafford. Either way, it looks set to be an exciting few months for football fans around the world.