A group of wealthy investors from the United Arab Emirates has reportedly reached out to Manchester United legend David Beckham as they prepare a major bid to take over the iconic football club.
Back in 2023, British tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe secured a substantial minority stake in Manchester United after the Glazer family showed willingness to sell part or all of their shares, outbidding competitors including Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim.
Nonetheless, ongoing difficulties both on the field and financially have motivated an undisclosed consortium from the UAE to prepare a takeover proposal aimed at acquiring the Glazers’ controlling stake in the Red Devils.
This investment group is said to have enlisted Beckham’s support to strengthen their bid and assist in closing the transaction.
David Beckham Expected to Be Central Figure in Acquisition Bid
Sources from The Sun reveal that the six-time Premier League champion has been invited to act as the public face and ambassador for the proposed acquisition.
With a personal fortune estimated at £300 million and ownership interests in Inter Miami and Salford City, Beckham is reportedly being offered the opportunity to invest financially in his former club as part of the deal.
Beckham’s global stature and influence are viewed as more suitable for this ambassadorial position than other club icons like Eric Cantona or Wayne Rooney.
He has been vocal in his criticism of the Glazer family’s ownership over the last twenty years, particularly emphasizing the significant debt the club has accumulated under their leadership.
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While Manchester United’s current market value is estimated at around £2 billion, the Glazer family is reportedly demanding a price closer to £5 billion to relinquish their majority control.
The American owners still hold the reins, having recently sold just under 30% of their shares to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS consortium for £1.2 billion.