Manchester United Takeover Talks Heat Up as Finnish Billionaire Eyes Ownership
In a significant development for Manchester United, Finnish billionaire Thomas Zilliacus has announced his intention to pursue a takeover of the storied football club. This comes in the wake of recent claims by Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who suggested that the Glazer family is nearing a deal to sell the club to a new investor.
The Glazers have owned Manchester United since 2005, and while there were expectations of a full sale in 2023, the American family opted to sell only a 27.7% stake to British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Now, with mounting speculation surrounding the club’s future, Zilliacus is stepping back into the spotlight, emphasizing his commitment to revitalizing the team.
Zilliacus, who previously led a bid for United in 2023, revealed his plans to approach potential investors to discuss a full purchase. “I was sitting and thinking through all the possibilities of investing in Manchester United and drafting a basic plan,” he stated. His vision centers on uniting various stakeholders to restore the club to its former glory as “the number one club in the world.”
Expressing his longstanding passion for Manchester United, Zilliacus criticized the current ownership, claiming the Glazers have turned the club into a “cash cow” rather than nurturing its potential. He believes that with the right investment, United can attract top talent and management, ensuring its status among the elite in football.
“My heart cries when I see how things are going today,” he lamented. “Manchester United are so far below where the club should be and could be if things were managed the right way.”
Zilliacus is open to collaborating with current minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other potential investors, suggesting a cooperative approach to ownership. “I have nothing against working with people like Jim Ratcliffe or any investor,” he added. “I’m in this to make a club that I’ve been a fan of since I was 12 years old the best club in the world.”
Rumors indicate that the Glazers would consider offers around £5 billion for the club, and it has been reported that private discussions regarding a sale have not been entirely ruled out. Moreover, the Glazers are also exploring partial sales to fund plans for a new state-of-the-art stadium, which were announced earlier this year.
