Tech giants, Apple, are now in the race to buy Manchester United.
Earlier this week, the Premier League club confirmed they are effectively up for sale in a statement.
Now a report from the Daily Star has claimed that the world’s largest tech company may be interested in acquiring the club for £5.8billion.
The California-based tech firm has never previously owned a major sports team, but the commercial opportunities provided by United are said to be a primary factor in their interest.
Any potential deal would almost certainly become the most costly acquisition of a football club in history, surpassing the £4.25billion fee a consortium led by Todd Boehly paid for Chelsea earlier this year.
Old Trafford revamp
One major issue facing whomever buys United is Old Trafford, the club’s iconic stadium. The venue has long needed a revamp to compete with the biggest clubs around the world, and it is understood that development of the stadium will cost approximately £1.5bn.
United moved into the ground – dubbed ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ by fans around the world – in 1910 and have called it home ever since. The stadium was most recently renovated between 2005 and 2006, with 8,000 seats being added.
Red Devils legend Gary Neville backed calls for the stadium to undergo a much-needed upgrade when stories first emerged of investment into the arena back in February.
He posted on Instagram: ‘There is a story emerging from Old Trafford that they might rebuild the entire stadium and I have just been asked what I think of it. I actually think that it would be the right move.
‘I think by the time that they have spent money on Old Trafford, the existing one. Then I think you would be better off building a brand new, better, super stadium. I do think that Manchester United should always be at the forefront of stadiums, have the best facilities and they have fallen behind.’
