Saudi Crown Prince preparing ‘third bid’ for Manchester United

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is preparing a third bid for Manchester United, as the future of the Glazer family’s ownership remains uncertain. 

The Saudi royal has previously seen two bids worth in the region of £3billion rejected and the prince’s interest in the club shows no signs of waning. 

On both occasions the Glazer family knocked back the approaches, contending that they are not willing to sell the club at any price. 

The Saudi Prince has reportedly made two bids to assume control of the club in the past

However, according to The Mirror, with ownership uncertainty continuing to grow, United may be more willing to listen to Prince Mohammed’s latest offer. 

Last week, stories emerged that Kevin Glazer was preparing to sell his 13 per cent stake in the club following news that the club will suffer a fall in revenue for the first time in years. 

Developments relating to the club’s revenue shortcomings and the announcement that Chevrolet have declined to renew their £450million deal to be shirtfront sponsor, has left Kevin seeking to sell his stake. 

There appears to be unrest among the Glazers as some are looking to sell their share

Kevin has put his stake, worth £270m, on the New York Stock Exchange, signalling his intent to part ways with the club. 

That move perhaps inspired Prince Mohammed to prepare another attempt to takeover the club, although other members of the Glazer family are reported to be keen to hang onto their grip hold of the club. 

United already have business interests with Saudi Arabia, with Saudi Telecom the club’s official integrated telecommunications partner.

The club also signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia last year to help develop football industry in the country.

Saudi Arabia are looking to expand their sport portfolio, shown by the Ruiz Jr vs. Joshua fight

The crown prince has shown a big appetite for bringing sporting events to his country over the past couple of years, including motor sport and boxing, while Brazil and Argentina played a football international in Riyadh last October.

Saudi Arabia will also play host to the highly-anticipated heavyweight rematch between world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. and Briton Anthony Joshua later this year. 

The American owners purchased the Red Devils in 2003 for £790m but if they decided to accept Bin Salman’s offer, the Glazers would bank a huge profit, given the fact the club are not what they were when the family acquired them 16 years ago. 

United’s mammoth value as a club still remains to be the case, although it has dropped since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the reigns in March. Prior to his appointment, share prices hit the $20 mark, but now shares are worth $15.   

United remain an incredibly valuable asset, but share prices have dropped as of late