David Beckham has been approached by a consortium of United Arab Emirates investors preparing an audacious move to take control of Manchester United.
The former England captain, who remains one of the most recognisable figures in world football, has reportedly been contacted by a group of billionaires seeking his backing for their proposed takeover of the Old Trafford club.
The investors are reportedly drawing up a formal bid for the shares held by United’s American owners, the Glazer family, whose 20-year tenure has long been a source of anger among supporters.
This approach to Beckham, according to the Star and Mirror, is said to centre on the 50-year-old taking on an ambassadorial role for the bid.
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Sources have suggested he would also be offered the opportunity to acquire a stake in the club where he rose from academy graduate to footballing superstar.
With an estimated fortune of £300million and ownership interests in Inter Miami and Salford City, Beckham would bring global credibility and brand appeal to any prospective ownership group.
It is also said that his iconic status and extensive international reach made him the preferred figurehead ahead of fellow club legends Eric Cantona and Wayne Rooney.
David Beckham won six Premier League titles during his time at Man United
|PA
The move is viewed as a strategic attempt to win over both supporters and commercial partners in what could become one of football’s most high-profile takeover battles.
Beckham has previously spoken of his discontent with the Glazers’ ownership, a reign marked by heavy debt and financial outflows.
Since the American family acquired United in 2005, more than £1.2billion has reportedly been spent on interest payments, dividends and fees.
The Glazers have been divisive figures at Man United ever since their own takeover back in 2005
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Despite persistent fan protests and declining on-field fortunes, the Glazers have resisted repeated calls to sell.
United’s current valuation is estimated at around £2b, though the Glazers are believed to be holding out for closer to £5b.
In recent years, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group secured a 27.7 per cent stake in the club for £1.2b, after the Glazers rejected a full takeover offer from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim.
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Ratcliffe’s partial investment gave him sporting control but left the Americans as majority shareholders.
Speculation over renewed Middle Eastern interest intensified this month after Saudi Arabian official Turki Alalshikh hinted that discussions regarding a sale were ongoing.
His comments reportedly caused confusion among senior club figures, but sources have since linked the rumours to French shipping magnate Rodolphe Saadé.
Ruben Amorim is currently preparing for Manchester United's showdown with Liverpool on Sunday
| REUTERSSaadé, chairman of the CMA CGM Group, is said to have close ties to the Gulf consortium and holds significant land assets near Old Trafford through Freightliner, a company acquired by CMA CGM.
The site has been earmarked as a potential location for a proposed 100,000-seat stadium.
The fresh interest in Manchester United comes at a time of transition on and off the pitch.
Manager Ruben Amorim takes his side to Liverpool this evening for what promises to be a fiery Premier League encounter. United have not claimed victory away at Anfield since 2016, and
Amorim is still seeking to deliver consecutive wins since arriving from Sporting Lisbon late last year.
Furthermore, the Portuguese continues to insist he's the right man for the job despite results leaving much to be desired.