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re: Saudi Arabia Invests in Sports....
David Beckham Open to Talks to Buy Man Utd After The Glazers Put Club Up For Sale
David Beckham is unable to afford the Old Trafford club by himself but could form part of an investment consortium as prospective buyers may be keen to enlist the Red Devils legend to boost their chances of winning the race to purchase United
BBC 24 NOV 2022
David Beckham is reportedly open to holding talks with potential buyers of Manchester United after The Glazers announced they are ready to sell the football club. Beckham could form part of an investment consortium
Beckham is unable to afford the Old Trafford club by himself but could form part of an investment consortium as prospective buyers may be keen to enlist the Red Devils legend to boost their chances of winning the race to purchase United.
The Glazers, who bought Man United for £790million back in 2005, put the Old Trafford club on the market on Tuesday. Mirror Football understands the family is looking for as much as £8billion to sell - a fee that eclipses the £2.5bn Todd Boehly paid for Chelsea.
The Financial Times reports that Beckham's affinity with Manchester United fans is attractive to a potential buyer who could get the former midfielder on board to help secure the club's purchase.
Beckham has been approached by investors in the past who have been interested in purchasing Man United. These talks never progressed, but there is hope this time around given the Glazers' announcement to sell.
In an interview with Sky Sports in May, Beckham announced "there are changes to be made and changes that are happening" at Man United.
He added: "There are not many teams to have gone through what they've gone through in the past few years and still [be] filling out their stadium. There will be changes."
British billionaire and lifelong Man United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to launch a bid to take over the Red Devils after his attempt to buy the club in the summer proved fruitless. He also tried and failed to buy Chelsea last season.
Ratcliffe owns petrochemical giant Ineos and is one of the richest men in the world.
US-based Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment and the Red Knights consortium, led by Lord Jim O'Neill, who made an unsuccessful attempt to buy the Glazers out in 2010, are also in the frame to purchase the club.
The Glazer family is united in its decision to sell the Old Trafford club but co-chairman Joel is said to have doubts about relinquishing control.
The Glazers announced they are ready to sell Man United
His siblings and co-board members are understood to have convinced him that now is the right time to walk away to maximise profit.
The Manchester United Supporters' Trust has called for any prospective owner to put the Red Devils first and their financial needs second. Having Beckham in the frame to purchase the club as part of a consortium would no doubt appeal to supporters.
The supporters' trust said: "Over the last 17 years Manchester United fans have been dismayed with the ownership of the club. Over that period we have witnessed a decline on the playing side and a decline in our stadium.
"Whilst supporters have long called for change, of course, this has to be the right change. At this moment in time, our club needs new investment more than ever. That requires new ownership.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe to bid for Man Utd in U-turn move with Glazers ready to sell
"Any prospective new owner or investor has to be committed to the culture, ethos and best traditions of the club.
"They have to be willing to invest to restore United to former glories, and that investment must be real new money spent on the playing side and the stadium. Finally, any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model.
"Manchester United's fans are its greatest asset and hold the key to unlocking the true value of any football club. That relationship has to be one of the equals – sharing in ownership and unified with the same goals."
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