SAUDI PRINCE BIDS US$6.8 BN FOR MAN UTD

SAUDI Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is stepping up his US$6.8 billion takeover bid of Manchester United – in the hope of becoming the new owner by next season.

It comes with ManU chiefs spending an increasing amount of time in Saudi Arabia.

Now the Saudi royal, whose family are worth around £850billion, will hope current owners the Glazer family can be tempted into selling.

Sources around Old Trafford have always denied the Glazers want to sell, but the mega offer could be too good to turn down.

The American family purchased United for £790million almost 14 years ago but saddled the club with huge debt.

But it seems like it will work out pretty well for them if they do sell - making an astronomical £2.2billion profit.

The Sun first reported the Saudi interest back in October, and that buying the club outright was the top choice.

But the skids were put on a potential offer after the Crown Prince became embroiled in the diplomatic row after journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed.

The £3.8bn valuation is dependent on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivering Manchester United a place in next season’s Champions League, with a deal unlikely to be agreed before their qualification is confirmed.

Should United fall short, a compromise is likely to be reached on a lower valuation.

Bin Salman, 33, reportedly wants to buy Manchester United to take on Man City, who are owned by Sheikh Mansour of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

The country has already made investments in sport through deals with F1 and WWE.

But so far its biggest play in football has been banning Qatar’s beIN SPORTS from broadcasting in the country.