Saudi Arabia denies English club Manchester United takeover bid

Manama: Saudi Arabia has denied reports that Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman sought to acquire the famous English football club Manchester United, saying there was a misunderstanding.

“Reports that claimed that HRH Prince Mohammad Bin Salman intended to take over Manchester United are completely false,” Minister of Media Turki Al Shabana posted on his Twitter account.

Reports claiming that HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman intends on buying @ManUtd are completely false. Manchester United held a meeting with @PIFSaudi to discuss sponsorship opportunity . No deal has been materialized.

— تركي الشبانه (@TurkiAlshabanah) February 17, 2019

“The fact is that Manchester United held a meeting with the Saudi Public Investment Fund to discuss sponsorship opportunities, and the Fund listened to the proposals, like any investment fund would do. No deal materialised.”

In October last year, the Sun newspaper reported that Manchester United “are a prime target for investment and a potential takeover from Saudi Arabia” and the Saudis were ready to pay £3.8 billion for the club.

On Sunday, the newspaper reported that Prince Mohammad “is stepping up his £3.8bn takeover bid of Manchester United in the hope of becoming the new owner by next season.”