Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (left) is reportedly personally interesed in bidding for ManU.GETTY IMAGES
Despite the reports of Saudi Arabia wanting to buy ManU coming at "what is, politically, a highly sensitive time" given the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi from the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, "the reality is that these are murmurs that have been doing the rounds for a few months," according to Miguel Delaney of the London INDEPENDENT. And the Old Trafford club's "links to the kingdom go back even further." Saudi Telecom is already ManU's longest-standing commercial partner, while last year, the club agreed to a separate "strategic partnership" with the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia. Different "names, same pot of money." All of these deals are part of the regime's "somewhat belated attempts to diversify into sport investments," following the lead of Qatar, "most notably" with Paris St. Germain, and the UAE with Man City. Given there is "greater wealth in Saudi Arabia than both," it is "surprising that it has taken this long to enter into this race." Figures familiar with the area said that the centralization of power around Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman "has made such moves much easier." Purchasing a club like ManU would be a "clear and obvious part of that strategy." Purchasing the club "would meanwhile be an enormous coup, maybe the global jewel in football given that Real Madrid and Barcelona are socially ring-fenced because of their membership structures" (INDEPENDENT, 10/16).
SUPPORTERS' SQUABBLE: In London, Glen Williams reported ManU fans are "divided" over the crown prince's "apparent interest in a takeover bid for the club." The move "would be hugely controversial" amid int'l "outrage over Saudi Arabia's role in the apparent murder of a dissident journalist." ManU supporters "have had their say on social media, with opinions certainly divided." Some are for the takeover, believed to be worth between £3B ($3.96B) and £4B ($5.28B), advocating that ousting the Glazer family "would be a positive step and could possibly provide a means for the club to clear its debt." One Twitter user said, "We might actually get owners who want us to be the best in the world and not just a cash cow." However, those who oppose the deal include an individual who said on social media, "We'd be sellouts like all the teams we so often criticise for it. We'd be worst than Chelsea and on par with City and PSG" (DAILY MAIL, 10/16).
