• Club insist there has been no approach and it is not
for sale
• Reports of bid from group controlled by Qatari royal family
A Qatari consortium is reported to have offered £1.5bn
to buy Manchester United from
its current owners, the Glazer brothers, after holding secret
talks.
But the club yesterday denied that there has been any approach
and reiterated that Manchester United is not for sale.
It is understood, however, that an approach from Qatar Holding – an investment group
controlled by the Qatari royal family – took place shortly after
the Arab state had secured the right to stage the 2022 World Cup
finals.
Discussions are said to have foundered because of the asking
price. The Glazers value the club at close to £2bn, which is more
than the Qatar group, which recently agreed a record £125m shirt
deal with Barcelona, was initially prepared to pay.
The Glazers paid £800m for the club in 2005, the majority of
which was provided by loans secured against the club's assets. The
borrowings are now believed to stand at around £530m.
Football sources believe Qatar, keen to raise its profile still
further in the game, will return with a higher offer.