By Victor Kanayo
There are indications that World technology giant, Apple, has been linked with a shock takeover bid for Manchester United.
According to Daily Star, Apple expressed an interest in buying United and are now weighing up a formal offer.
United were put up for sale on Tuesday by the Glazer family, who said they would “explore strategic alternatives”.
Raine Group, who were involved in the sale of Chelsea, are acting as United’s exclusive financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is legal counsel. Rothschild and Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to the Glazer family shareholders.
There is likely to be significant interest in buying United, with one of the UK’s richest men, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, someone who has previously shown an interest in running his boyhood club.
Apple, the latest tech company in the world, have an annual revenue of close to £326bn, while their net worth is said to be £2tn.
The report claimed that Apple CEO Tim Cook will line up talks with the banks appointed to oversee the sale, with the company seriously considering making a bid.
Apple would allegedly be willing to invest in a new state-of-the-art stadium, with Old Trafford falling behind a number of other grounds in the Premier League when it comes to facilities.
The Glazers were initially said to be looking for around £8bn to sell the club but have since dropped their price to between £5bn and £6bn.
Any deal involving Apple would reportedly make Man United the richest club in the world ahead of the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain.
United have won England’s top flight on 20 occasions, which is a record, while they have lifted the FA Cup on 12 occasions and the European Cup three times.
