Manchester United takeover bidder returns with fresh £375m proposal | OneFootball

Former Manchester United takeover bidder Thomas Zilliacus has returned with a new £375 million proposal for the club. 

The wealthy businessman submitted a bid to buy United after the Glazers family put the club up for sale. 

He competed against the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim by launching his supporter-driven bid, which he claimed could have earned up to £15billion. 

Zilliacus eventually pulled out of the race, with Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS purchasing a 27.7 per cent stake to gain sporting control at Old Trafford. 

However, the former Nokia executive has now made another proposal for United in the form of a lucrative sponsorship deal. 

In an exclusive interview to the Manchester Evening News, Zilliacus said: “I have decided to offer Manchester United a sponsorship deal through my company XXI Century Capital Group. I want to be able to give a Christmas present to Manchester United.

“For me, it’s not about owning something. It’s not about having a trophy to show off. It’s about how we make Manchester United so strong financially that they can become the number one club, not only in England, but in Europe.

“So, I have decided to propose a $500m (£375m) sponsorship deal over five years. It goes back to global fan engagement and how we get the fans involved around the world.

“I have a programme that in a very interesting way activates these fans and it’s around that that I am confident I can offer this sponsorship deal over five years. With that money, Manchester United could significantly strengthen their squad and do other things as well.

Zilliacus’ net worth is not publicly known, but he is not believed to be as wealthy as Ratcliffe. 

The Finnish businessman doesn’t appear to be serious with his latest claims. 

If he wants to sponsor the Red Devils, he should directly talk to the club and not do an interview about it for his own self-promotion. 

Ineos have brought positive changes at United since completing their takeover in 2024. 

This is particularly true about their recruitment, which has seen massive improvement. 

The club made smart acquisitions last summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens. 

Cunha, Mebumo and Lammens have been regular starters under Ruben Amorim so far this campaign, while Sesko has also shown glimpses of his quality.