MANCHESTER UNITED could finally see the permanent removal of their American owners. Much to many fans’ delight, it has recently been reported that the English club could be set for a Saudi Takeover.
Famed sports promoter and Saudi Arabian government official Turki Al-Sheikh took to social media on the 9th October, claiming that Man Utd are reportedly in “an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor”.
According to reports from Times Football Journalist Charlotte Duncker, “if it’s for the right price, there’s potential that the Glazers would sell the entire club”.
Ratcliffe’s Role
Back in November 2022, the Americans at the top announced they were open to a potential sale – either full or in part – and eventually struck a deal with Businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, in December 2023.
The 72-year-old has owned a minority 27.7% stake in the club since February 2024, worth a whopping £1.25B, with his company INEOS given the control to oversee football operations.
So what would a full sale of the club mean for Sir Jim? Well, Manchester United can be sold without his permission.
Finances
A drag along clause in the shareholder agreement means that – being a minority owner – the Glazers can ‘drag along’ Ratcliffe into selling his shares if they decide to sell the company, as they are still the majority owners.
In other words, it prevents minority owners from blocking sales, should someone want to purchase 100% of the shares.
Ratcliffe bought a $33-per-share stake in the club, and as part of the signed deal, any sale agreement before February 2027 has to meet this at a minimum.
Any agreement made after this date means that the Glazers can accept whatever proposal they wish, and ‘drag along’ Ratcliffe into potentially losing a lot of money.
However, according to news revealed by The Athletic today, the Glazers are considering a sale before 2027, in order to maximise their profits.
The current $33-per-share stake in the club means that United is currently valued at £4.3B, which would make them the most expensive football club ever sold, beating Chelsea’s £2.5B sale in 2022.
Who’s interested?
Potential buyers could include Qatari Sheikh Jassim again – who initially lost out to the English Billionaire – alongside UAE groups, Saudi investors and private equity firms.
As we know, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have owned Newcastle United since 2021, so if this takeover hits Manchester’s docks, it’s unlikely the Premier League would be willing to sanction multiple ownership.
It’s also not clear if a Saudi purchase would clear the Premier League’s Owners and Directors’ test.
There is history between Saudi Arabia and Manchester United though. Recently there have been talks about organising a mid-season friendly, to raise funds lost by United’s absence of Europe. The Glazers have also struck deals with the country before, in 2008 and 2017.
So, will Manchester United fans finally see the end of a 20-year reign filled with detriment, disappointment and decline?
This may well be the dawn of a new era in M16.
