Manchester United takeover update as Newcastle United’s rivals hold fresh £7bn sale talks

Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer reportedly held talks with potential Saudi Arabian and Qatari investors during his World Cup visit.

The Glazer Family announced in November its desire to seek “new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions” after 15 years in charge.

The Raine Group, who are acting as club’s financial advisor, have placed a £6billion to £7bn value on the Red Devils and there is understood to have been interest from the Middle East.

As per The Athletic, Glazer, whilst in Doha this month, has talked with potential investors from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Only recently did Saudi Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal encourage investment in Man United.

“If there are investors and the numbers add up, and it makes good business, the private sector could come in,” Al-Faisal told Sky News. “Sports and Saudis will benefit from these collaborations because we already do exchange programmes with Newcastle and connections throughout the world.

“The Premier League is the best league in the world, everyone’s watching, it’s the most watched league in Saudi and in the region.

“I am not in charge of that,” he added, when asked if he personally would like to oversee a takeover of a club. “But I think an opportunity like that, anyone would love to be a part of because you go to a club with such history and heritage and success.”

Should Man United gain investment from Saudi Arabia, it isn’t expected to impact Newcastle United, who are 80 per cent owned by the Public Investment Fund.

During Eddie Howe’s side’s mid-season trip to Riyadh, Yasir Al-Rumayyan - governor of PIF and non-executive chairman at Newcastle - thanked the players for their early season efforts, which has them third in the Premier League table, but hopes it is only the start of what is an ambitious project.

Reflecting on the invite to Al-Rumayyan’s home, Howe said: “Really, really special moment for the chairman to welcome us to his home. It wasn’t underestimated by us, it was a really nice gesture. It’s not every day that you have that invitation, so we were humbled to accept it.

“He was really, really good with us, communicated his thoughts on and visions on the future. I really enjoyed spending time with him and his family. He was very welcoming and option, and I’m sure the players feel the same way.

“He was very good with them. He interacts and talks with them in a really good way.”