Carlyle, the American financial investment company, have entered negotiations to invest in Manchester United. Carlyle are said to be very keen to land a stake with the Premier League club and have been in talks with officials at Man United for some time. The exact details on their proposal has yet to be fully revealed but it is understood they are sounding out the possibility of a minority stake, rather than a complete takeover of the club currently owned and by the Glazer family.
The club announced in November that their owners, the Glazer family, were exploring “strategic alternatives” for the Old Trafford outfit, with a sale one of the options considered.
It’s another chapter of the long-running saga in the race to control one of the largest football clubs in the Premier League and the world. Qatar-based Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe remain in contention but the news that Carlyle are now keen to be involved adds another layer to the complex takeover and investment plans.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest estimated net worth of the current owners in the Premier League, compared to Carlyle, starting from lowest to high...
17. Aston Villa - Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris
Estimated net worth: £9.7 billion Photo: Stu Forster
18. Chelsea - Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital Group, Hansjorg Wyss & Mark Walter
Estimated net worth: £13 billion Photo: GLYN KIRK
19. Man City
The personal wealth of Sheikh Mansour is estimated to be in the region of £17bn, Photo: OLI SCARFF
20. Man United
Proposed investors Carlyle has assets of more than £298bn Photo: Ash Donelon