As potential buyers for Manchester United continue to line up, a certain eccentric billionaire is reportedly kicking the tires on the historic European soccer club.
Elon Musk is “believed to be monitoring the situation closely” and weighing putting in a bid for the club ahead of Friday’s deadline, per The Daily Mail.
The British tabloid says that several interested parties have signed confidentiality agreements to see Man United’s “data room” — including several from Saudi Arabia, which could be eyeing Musk as a figurehead for a bid.
With a net worth of $187.5 billion, Musk certainly has the capital to make a purchase — and also has some personal motivation.
In August, Musk joked on Twitter that he was buying Manchester United — later deleting the Tweet, but clarifying that if he were to buy a team, it would be United, his “fav team as a kid.”
Club owners the Glazer family are reportedly seeking around $7.3 billion for a full takeover — but expressed interest in only a partial sale last week.
Not Just Elon
The competition to be the next owner of Manchester United is getting stiff.
Bloomberg recently confirmed that a consortium of Qatari investors are set to make an offer for the club with assistance from the Qatar Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the ruling emir of Qatar, reportedly supports the club.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also still in the running.
