Qatari investors to bid for Manchester United this week - report

Qatari investors are reportedly set to make an offer for Manchester United in the coming days in a move that would cement the country’s desire to become a major player in global sports.

Bloomberg cited people familiar with the matter as saying that the Qatari consortium is preparing to submit an initial bid for the English Premier League football club by the end of the week.

Officials at sovereign wealth fund the Qatar Investment Authority are helping with preparations for a bid alongside local family offices, one of the sources said.

New York bank Raine Group is advising Manchester United’s owners, the US-based Glazer family.

Manchester United has been the subject of increasing takeover speculation since the summer, when Bloomberg reported the Glazer family was open to selling a stake. So far, only British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has officially declared his interest and is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase on a potential offer.

Bloomberg News reported in January that state-backed Qatari investors were weighing an investment in Manchester United.

Sources told Bloomberg on Monday that deliberations are ongoing and no final decisions have been taken about which Qatari entities will ultimately provide capital for the Manchester United bid.