Manchester United are focused on clarifying the Glazer family’s valuation of the club as they meet potential buyers and investors after being inundated by initial expressions of interest, sources told ESPN.
United are making presentations to representatives of Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who have both indicated they are interested in outright possession at Old Trafford.
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Indicative offers before Reign Group’s soft deadline fell below Glazer’s valuation of around £6 billion but meetings with potential buyers have sought to explain how they arrived at that value — particularly highlighting the club’s global fanbase compared to Premier League rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. .
Sources close to Sheikh Jassim have indicated that he will not overpay for the club due to the belief that huge investment will be needed to upgrade the Old Trafford and Carrington training bases and build a team capable of consistently competing in the Premier League and Champions League. .
The consortium, led by Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of chemical company INEOS, values United at just under £6 billion.
After the second phase of the process, which could end by the end of the week, interested parties will be asked to submit revised bids.
Sources close to the process told ESPN that Raine has prioritized consortiums interested in a full takeover but has also held meetings with groups interested only in smaller investments.
Elliott Investment Management is one of the US-based hedge funds that reached the second stage of the process with representatives attending last week’s Europa League tie against Real Betis.
Elliott do not want to buy the club but are offering to invest, either to outside bidders or the Glazer family if they decide to stay on as owners.
Sources have told ESPN that the Glazer family, who have owned United since 2005, are keeping their options open.
They released a statement in November announcing that they were looking at “strategic options,” which could include an outright sale or taking on an outside investment.
Sources told ESPN that club officials have been told there must be “clarity” about the ownership situation before the end of the season.
Meanwhile, United are expected to be without Alejandro Garnacho for several weeks after picking up an ankle injury in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Southampton.
Garnacho left Old Trafford on crutches and wearing a protective boot. Sources told ESPN that the forward suffered an ankle ligament injury. He is still being assessed by the club’s medical staff but has already withdrawn from the Argentina squad ahead of their upcoming international match.