Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley gave a clear answer when asked whether the club’s investors could launch a bid for Manchester United – and has made a claim about Liverpool.
Two bidders made public offers to buy United before the soft deadline set by the Glazer family last month, with Qatar Islamic Bank chairman Sheikh Jassim launching a bid through his foundation. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos also submitted an offer.
Further proposals have arrived via hedge fund firms Elliott and Genevra Capital, with the latter interested in taking a minority stake in the club.
There were rumours that Saudi investors may launch a bid for United – although the Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan confirmed that no such bid had been made before the deadline.
That came following comments from the state’s sports minister, who stated that the Saudi government would be prepared to back a private sector bid for United or Liverpool.
Speaking to BBC Sport during the World Cup, he said: “We will definitely support it if any [Saudi] private sector comes in, because we know that’s going to reflect positively on sports within the kingdom.
“But if there’s an investor willing to do so and the numbers add up, why not?”
Saudi investors will now not be taking over Liverpool, with the Reds’ principal owner, John W Henry, confirming to the Boston Globe (via Liverpool Echo) that the club would not be sold.
Newcastle co-owner responds to Man Utd speculation
During a Financial Times’ Business of Football Submit, Staveley was asked about whether Newcastle’s investors, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, would consider buying a Premier League rival.
She replied (quotes via Chronicle Live): “We didn’t go for the wonderful Tottenham, Chelsea or Liverpool because why spend billions?”
When asked specifically about speculation that the club could buy United, she answered: “No, I don’t think so.”
A successful bid for United by Saudi’s PIF would almost certainly mean they would need to sell their stake in Newcastle, as a single entity cannot own more than one club in the same country. They own 80 per cent of the club after their successful takeover in 2021.
If both clubs were to qualify for the Champions League, meanwhile, they also would not be able to play in that competition as per UEFA regulations.
Meanwhile, a takeover of United may not happen at all, with Sky Sports News indicating that, as per sources, Avram and Joel Glazer are ‘reluctant’ to part with the club.
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