Finnish businessman Thomas Zillacus went public with his interest to buy Manchester United this week. He has now confirmed that he would be happy to table a joint-bid with a rival bidder.
Forgive us if we’re wrong, but I get the feeling this is all a publicity stunt and a result of what is becoming a spectacle for media. Usually transactions of this size happen privately but that seems impossible at Manchester United, the biggest football club in the world.
The Finn claims to have submitted an offer with a promise to buy half of the club and open the door for the fans to buy the other half.
Now, in what seems a desperate attempt to gain more publicity, Zilliacus has told Sky Sports News that he would be prepared to team-up with another bidder to get a deal over the line.
“We do have the financing and the Glazers know very well that the world is not flush with money, there is an awful lot of money around that is looking for interest in investment opportunities with good returns,” Zilliacus said. “I think this can be one of those.
“So to finance the bid, frankly, I do not see that as a big obstacle. I think that is something that is already available. Like I have said, we have financing available for whatever is required.
“But as I have also said, we are not going to go to crazy levels. One thing which I may want to add is that, from what I have been reading, there are about five other bidders also interested in the club.
“We would be happy to talk with the other bidders and join forces with one or many of those, if they feel the same way as we do about involving the fans, about bringing these values to the forefront of what Manchester United is all about. If we think the same way, we have no problem at all.
“Look, from our perspective, yes, we want to make money out of this, but it is not about us specifically owning a majority; it is about people who think the same way owning the club and bringing it forward in the way that the club, in my view, should be brought forward.”
Zilliacus also took to Twitter this morning with another attempt to strike a coming together of bidders.
I have this morning made a public appeal to my main rivals Sir Jim Ratcliffe and sheik Jassim to join forces with me to buy Manchester United together. By doing do we can focus on the good of the club instead of throwing away money in a mad rush to outbid each other #ManUnited
— Thomas Zilliacus (@TZilliacus) March 24, 2023
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