New $6 Billion Offer to Purchase Manchester United

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani submitted a new offer in February to purchase Manchester United, a competitor in the English Premier League, for £5 billion ($6.12 billion), according to Sky Sports on Saturday. A spokesperson for Sheikh Jassim stated at the time that the offer did not involve any loans through Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation. Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus announced that he had made an offer to buy the club, confirming to Reuters that he was willing to pay more than the club's current value. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of the chemicals company INEOS, also made an offer to buy the English club in February. The Glazer family, owners of United, began discussing options for the 20-time English league champion in November, considering new investors or selling the club after 17 years of ownership. Earlier sources told Reuters that any sale of the club would likely exceed the largest sports deal to date, which was $5.2 billion, including debts and investments paid to acquire Chelsea FC.