BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United takeover bidder makes new £375m offer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe receives yet another proposal – Official announcement in the next few hours
Former Manchester United bidder Thomas Zilliacus has tabled a fresh £375million offer to the club. The Finnish tycoon was among the contenders, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, who bid for United in 2023. Zilliacus had previously put forth a fan-led proposal when the Glazer family considered selling United, either partially or entirely, three years ago. He claimed his plan could have netted the club up to £15billion.
However, the ex-Nokia official eventually pulled out of the race, paving the way for Ineos to take over sporting control and Ratcliffe to acquire a 27.7 per cent stake in the club. Now, two years later, Zilliacus reveals that he’s back with another proposition for United, a lucrative sponsorship deal. He told the Manchester Evening News: “I have decided to offer Manchester United a sponsorship deal through my company XXI Century Capital Group. I want to be able to give a Christmas present to Manchester United.
“For me, it’s not about owning something. It’s not about having a trophy to show off. It’s about how we make Manchester United so strong financially that they can become the number one club, not only in England, but in Europe.
“So, I have decided to propose a $500m (£375m) sponsorship deal over five years. It goes back to global fan engagement and how we get the fans involved around the world.
“I have a programme that in a very interesting way activates these fans and it’s around that that I am confident I can offer this sponsorship deal over five years. With that money, Manchester United could significantly strengthen their squad and do other things as well.
“Within the XXI Century Capital Group, we have a number of brands. It wouldn’t necessarily be the XXI Century Capital brand that sponsors. It could be some other brands within the group. It could be Champion Circle, which is the specific fan engagement programme.”
Zilliacus has also made clear his desire to collaborate with Ratcliffe at the club. He stated: “I would love to be working with Sir Jim Ratcliffe. When us three, Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim and I, were bidding for Manchester United, I said, ‘Look, instead of just trying to overbid each other and make the Glazer family even more wealthy, why don’t we work together for the benefit of the club?’
“That is still how I see things. You usually get better results when you work together. I want to be heavily involved in agreeing on how sponsorship would work. Then when it comes to developing the club, I would be very happy to offer my ideas, my thoughts and my advice but I would not impose. I would not say, ‘Look, you have to include me in some decision-making.’
“But I do think there are so many things that could be done even better. Starting from player acquisition to how we make the fans happier with everything that they experience, be it inside the stadium or outside the stadium.
