Ben Jacobs reveals UAE group plotting Man United takeover as club icon is courted | OneFootball

Reliable journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed the identity of the UAE group considering a takeover of Manchester United, as a club icon is approached to join the investment vehicle in an ambassadorial role.

United could be subject of takeover

Last week, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh sent the United fanbase into a frenzy after claiming that negotiations over a sale of the club were at an advanced stage.

Alalshikh took to X and said that a new investor is keen on buying out the Glazer family and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United dismissed such suggestions, although it was pointed out that it’s not entirely impossible that the Glazers would be in secret negotiations with an interested party.

It’s believed that the Glazers are open to offers of around £5billion for their stake – a sum that is more than double United’s stock market value.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that the group Alalshikh references was UAE-based. Now, the name of the company eyeing a consortium takeover of United has been revealed by Jacobs, who also confirmed that Eric Cantona has been contacted regarding an ambassadorial position.

Jacobs issues update on potential UAE-based takeover of United

Jacobs said [via Football365], “So the latest is as follows: number one, the Glazers have not had an offer from anybody. Could they be holding talks behind other people at the club’s back? Absolutely. Are they advanced? No. And then where does the money come from? Well, Turki Al-Sheikh confirms something that we broke on this show, that it’s not Saudi Arabia.”

“I don’t want to disappoint the chat, but Sheikh Jassim is not coming back to the table. There is no possibility, I am told. And in addition to that, the number the Glazers want is in excess of 5 billion pounds. And if you go back through the SEC filing to look at the different bids from shape, none of the offers were anywhere close to that number.”

“And what makes the number higher is if, whilst this drag on clause is valid, the Glazers do sell. So Jim Ratcliffe is guaranteed $33 a share, which takes the overall valuation of the club to something around 4.7 billion. So again, not far off that 5 billion pound number. And all of this means, if someone’s to buy the club now, they’re going to have to pay a premium, and then Sir Jim Ratcliffe would have to go buy a wanted 100% so there’s a few variables here.”

Jacobs continued, “The last thing, and the most interesting thing that I can add, and I think this counts as a bit of a United Stand exclusive, is that within the UAE, one company in particular is involved in these talks. It’s unclear whether they will front the consortium, but international holding company or IHC, which has been around for about three decades, have been part of talks to put together a perspective of a UAE-based Consortium.”

“We don’t know whether anything is going to materialise. And as we said on talkSPORT a few weeks ago, some ex-Manchester United legends have also been sounded out not to invest, but just to be ambassadors.”

“And quite interestingly, some, I think they’ll be excited to others, I think they will almost feel the optics of this are not quite right because of the kind of personality he is. One ex-Manchester United legend in particular has held direct talks about maybe coming on board.”

“I would just stress one thing really, clearly, it is nowhere near as advanced as Turki implied, nor have the Glazers had any kind of direct contact. Yet there’s no guarantee this even develops into anything. But Eric Cantona is one of the names that has been approached.”

Meanwhile, United are back in action on Sunday when they take on bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield. The contest kicks off at 4.30 pm.

Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social