Fabrizio Romano reveals what he's heard about Man Utd takeover as Thomas Zilliacus claim made

Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus remains an outsider in the race to buy Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Glazer family have been at the helm of United since 2005 but in November confirmed they would consider a full sale of the club.

Zilliacus, chairman of social media company novaM Group, is the latest contender to enter the frame, proposing a bid last week in which he would share the cost of the club with fans.

His plan for a fifty-fifty split would allow supporters an equal hand in the day-to-day running of the club through an app.

Whilst the 69-year-old has also offered to join forces with either British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in order to strengthen his financial position.

Zilliacus' bid is said to be funded by XXI Century Capital, an investment firm owned by his own company which comprises of investors from Europe, Asia and America.

However, Ratcliffe, owner INEOS, and Sheikh Jassim's Qatar Sports Investment group have a long-standing interest in buying the club independently, having submitted their own bids before Zilliacus arrived on the scene.

Meanwhile well renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano reckons that the pair remain firm favourites, but refuses to rule out Zilliacus just yet.

Romano on Man Utd takeover

Discussing the situation on The United Stand podcast, Romano explained: "Honestly, I am not one to doubt him and his bid and this project.

"But at the same point, it's just a feeling because, you know, I'm not into the negotiations and so we don't know exactly what's going on.

"But the feeling of sources close to the negotiation is that the Qatari group and the INEOS group are the two big favourites. So if something will happen, these look like the two big favourites to buy Manchester United.

"Then we know that in football in general, and especially in a sales process with top clubs like Manchester United, we never know until the end. But these two groups are the two big favourites, for sure."

However, Zilliacius insists that his offer is not far off what has already been offered to the Glazers.

"The formal bid we have submitted is, I dare to say, is on the same level and in line with the other bidders that have been discussed in public,” the businessman told the Manchester Evening News.

“We are discussing with a number of parties and if we are allowed to proceed, then we will select the ones who fit best into the framework in what we want to achieve with the club,” added Zilliacus.

Topics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno