Consortium 'Planning' Huge Man Utd Takeover Bid as Turki Alalshikh Ruled Out

The identity of the consortium interested in taking over Manchester United has reportedly been revealed after comments made by Saudi sports chief Turki Alalshikh.

Alalshikh took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to claim that United were 'in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor'.

He clarified those comments on Thursday by stating that he nor anyone from Saudi Arabia is the unnamed investor, and added: "I'm posting this as a fan who wishes the deal to happen, though it might not necessarily happen."

The prospect of any Saudi involvement at United would have been significantly complicated had there been genuine interest.

Image: Twitter/@Turki_alalshikh

The nation's Public Investment Fund (PIF) already owns Newcastle, and any investor into United would have to prove that they have no connection with the Magpies owners to pass the Premier League's Owners and Directors Test, as multi-club ownership within the English football pyramid is banned.

According to the Daily Mail, the consortium interested in launching a takeover bid for United is in fact based in the United Arab Emirates.

It is claimed that the consortium are 'considering' making an offer to the Glazer family, and that they have approached several former United players about being involved in the project as ambassadors.

Similar plans were reported on at the time of Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim's interest in taking over United in 2023.

ESPN claimed that Jassim's regime would offer 'prominent roles' to a number of United legends from Sir Alex Ferguson's time in charge if a takeover bid was successful.

Ultimately, the Glazers sold a minority stake to British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

As part of that agreement, a 'drag-along' clause was triggered in August that allows the Glazers to force Ratcliffe to sell his shareholding if they offer him £26 for each of his shares, which total around 50 million.

The Mail add, however, that despite Alalshikh's claims, 'the picture is very different to the one painted [by the Saudi sports chief]' in terms of any takeover developments.

United are currently in talks over playing mid-season friendlies in Saudi Arabia during Riyadh Season.

The Manchester Evening News report that the club could earn upwards of £10 million if an agreement is struck, which would see United play in Saudi for the first time since 2008.