Man United shares rise amid reported Saudi buyout bid

By: James Robson, The Associated Press Posted: 5:50 PM CST Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Shares of Premier League club Manchester United rose sharply Thursday ahead of the deadline for takeover bids and reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Shares of Premier League club Manchester United rose sharply Thursday ahead of the deadline for takeover bids and reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/02/2023 (1303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Shares of Premier League club Manchester United rose sharply Thursday ahead of the deadline for takeover bids and reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

The stock closed at $26.84, up almost 10%, on the New York Stock Exchange, with potential buyers expected to submit initial offers Friday to merchant bank Raine Group, which is handling the sale for United’s current owners, the Glazer family.

With a bid also expected to come from Qatar, reports of a move from Saudi Arabia could heighten the possibility of the sale price reaching an estimated $6 billion.

A tribute to Manchester United team - nicknamed the "Busby Babes" is displayed on screen in memory of the 65th anniversary of the Munich air disaster which saw 23 people die, prior the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace, at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The plane was carrying the Manchester United team - nicknamed the "Busby Babes". (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS, is the only contender to publicly confirm his intention to bid, but there has been increased speculation about wider interest in recent days.

The Telegraph reported Thursday that groups in Saudi Arabia are interested in bidding.

Friday has been described as a soft deadline before the sale process gathers pace.

The Glazers, who also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced on Nov. 21 their intention to seek outside funding. Since then, United’s share price has more than doubled from $13.08 on the day of the announcement.

Saudi interest has long been speculated and latest reports come on the back of an expected bid from another Middle Eastern country, Qatar.

There could also be interest from America after a host of U.S. bidders entered the race to buy Chelsea last year.

The Glazers have repeatedly resisted attempts from United fans to drive them out since buying the club in 2005.

The possibility of partial investment as well as a full sale have been explored.

It is not known if any potential buyer is prepared to go as high as the widely estimated price of $6 billion given the extra level of investment required to redevelop Old Trafford stadium.