Gary Lineker has named Manchester United as one of the three clubs with the greatest pulling power in world football.
According to Forbes, United rank as the second-most valuable club in the world, just behind Real Madrid. Barcelona are third.
United’s pulling power was tested last year amid the absence of Champions League football. They splashed out £225m last summer as Erik ten Hag looked to make his mark at the club.
Barcelona have been hampered by financial troubles in recent years, having to sell off club assets to stay within La Liga cash rules. They are again expected to sell a number of high-profile players this summer.
ALSO READ: Kane must make transfer stance clear after glimpse of United future
Meanwhile, Madrid recently spent an initial £88m on Jude Bellingham, a fee that could rise to £115m, despite the millions being used to renovate the Bernabeu.
Contrastingly, United are not sure how much they will have to play with this summer amidst the uncertainty of the takeover. However, Lineker still believes United are among the most fashionable clubs to play for.
Answering a question on La Liga’s pulling power, the Match Of The Day presenter said: “I think in the world’s big three football clubs, it’s probably Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United in terms of stature.
“We all know Real Madrid is a proper football club. I’m biased towards [former club] Barcelona, we don’t love Real Madrid in Barcelona to put it mildly, but they are a sensational football club and an incredibly successful football club that play brilliant football.”
United were open to facilitating a move for Bellingham should he have fancied it. However, Lineker believes he will thrive at Madrid.
He said: “It’s a fabulous move for Jude Bellingham. He is clearly incredibly mature, captaining a club like Dortmund in his teens.
“I think this is a good step for him, you look at the players they’ve got there and some of the youngsters that will come through alongside Jude Bellingham, who is a real leader.
