The Glazer family is willing to sell their shares in Manchester United for more than £500 million, an asking price that is more than twice the current stock market value of the Premier League giant.
Recent rumors suggest that Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh has launched a bid to acquire Manchester United. However, to persuade the Glazer family to let go, Turki’s offer needs to reach approximately £520 million to be competitive.
Twenty years ago, this group of Florida-based businessmen led by the Glazer family took over Old Trafford with an investment of £79 million. Although Manchester United’s current market value is around £2 billion, the substantial premium demanded by the Glazer family actually includes a forecast of the club’s future value—especially the planned next-generation stadium project that can accommodate 100,000 people and cost £2 billion.
The "Century Stadium Project" announced by the club in March this year has yet to resolve funding issues. It is reported that the Glazer family is considering selling part of their shares (currently holding 48.9%) to obtain Saudi capital, thereby injecting momentum into the stadium construction. This partial share sale plan can not only retain control but also attract special construction funds.
After rejecting the full acquisition bid from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani in 2024, the Glazer family sold a 27.7% stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group. The latter paid £1.25 billion to gain control of football operations. Although Manchester United announced a record £670 million in revenue in June, it also implemented large-scale layoffs, highlighting its cash flow troubles.
Turki Al-Sheikh, the rumored Saudi billionaire involved in boxing, snooker, golf, and UFC, has stated on social media that Manchester United is "in an advanced stage of reaching a new investment," but the club has declined to comment on this.
Ratcliffe, meanwhile, continues to emphasize his full commitment to the club. Notably, the Glazer family is legally fully entitled to conduct share transactions secretly without involving other shareholders.
