Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Manchester United takeover: Thomas Zilliacus predicts major U-turn from Glazers after failed bid

The Glazer family will end up not selling Manchester United despite fielding huge bids for the club, according to Thomas Zilliacus.

Finnish businessman Zilliacus offered to buy 50 per cent of the Premier League giants earlier this year before withdrawing from the contest, which he described as a “farce”.

INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim are the remaining contenders to buy United with a fifth bid now mooted from the Sheikh after he lodged a fourth proposal two weeks after an initial deadline. The club is thought to be valued at £6billion.

Zilliacus, who now wants to discuss a deal to take over Inter Milan, has claimed that he doesn’t expect the Glazers to sell at all - a move which would cause much fan anger at Old Trafford.

“I already made an offer for Manchester United in England in March,” he told Inter-News. “But I don't think anything will happen, they won't sell.”

Champions League finalists Inter are now on Zilliacus’ radar as chairman Steven Zhang prepares to hear out multiple bids to invest in the club.

The 69-year-old said: “I like Italian football, it's the best in the world. I have a house in Italy, in Como and I live there more than half of the year.”

He continued: “I have great respect for what Steven Zhang has done. He's done a great job over the last seven years and considering he arrived as a young man to manage Inter, he's done a fantastic job.

“If he wants to sell, then yes, we would certainly be interested. I won't say more now, I have great respect for him and his work and I don't want to disturb him. Especially when the club is focusing on the Champions League final.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.