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Manchester United will face fresh takeover speculation today when it emerges that a near 6% stake in the Premier League club has been bought for close to £30m.
The deal is thought to have been brokered by Mehmet Dalman, the London head of the Germany's Commerzbank, who is known to have been trawling the City for a sizable stake in his favourite club.
City sources were speculating last night whether Cyprus-born Mr Dalman was acting alone, on behalf of the German bank or in conjunction with one of the existing investors in Manchester United.
He is thought to be a sports fan, with interests ranging from horse racing to American football, prompting rumours that he is an associate of Malcolm Glazer, owner of American football club the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has amassed a stake of almost 10% in Manchester United.
The latest stake is thought to have been gained from a variety of shareholders who were keen to sell at historically high levels for the shares. They closed yesterday at 249p, after a late 6.25p rally.
The City financier will become of the largest individual investors in the club, behind Mr Glazer and two Irish horseracing tycoons who have amassed a 25% shareholding.
John Magnier, one of the most powerful men in racing, and JP McManus, known for his gambling on racehorses, are still the most powerful shareholders in the club after their purchases last month. Until they are prepared to sell, a full-blown takeover bid is unlikely to succeed.
Mr Dalman, who was unavailable for comment last night, is well-known figure in German banking circles.
The 45-year-old is a member of the German bank's board, and has has helped it build an operation from scratch in five years.
The number of shares he has bought is likely to be known this morning.
The move comes as the intentions of Mr Magnier and Mr McManus trigger fresh controversy.
They have let it be known that they do not intend yet to launch a full-blown takeover offer. Mr Magnier is involved in a row with Sir Alex Ferguson, United's manager ,over the ownership of racehorse Rock of Gibraltar. Their relationship is thought to be at rock bottom.
Although the Irish racing enthusiasts are the largest shareholders, City sources believe that Mr Glazer is more likely to table a bid for the club.
The self-made millionaire has a reputation as shrewd investor who would be expected to exploit the Manchester United brand, already strong in Asia, in the United States.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1095227,00.html
www.shareholdersunited.org
do the right thing, sign up, own a piece of the club you love and in doing so prevent these predatory cnuts from using our club as their financial plaything.
The deal is thought to have been brokered by Mehmet Dalman, the London head of the Germany's Commerzbank, who is known to have been trawling the City for a sizable stake in his favourite club.
City sources were speculating last night whether Cyprus-born Mr Dalman was acting alone, on behalf of the German bank or in conjunction with one of the existing investors in Manchester United.
He is thought to be a sports fan, with interests ranging from horse racing to American football, prompting rumours that he is an associate of Malcolm Glazer, owner of American football club the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has amassed a stake of almost 10% in Manchester United.
The latest stake is thought to have been gained from a variety of shareholders who were keen to sell at historically high levels for the shares. They closed yesterday at 249p, after a late 6.25p rally.
The City financier will become of the largest individual investors in the club, behind Mr Glazer and two Irish horseracing tycoons who have amassed a 25% shareholding.
John Magnier, one of the most powerful men in racing, and JP McManus, known for his gambling on racehorses, are still the most powerful shareholders in the club after their purchases last month. Until they are prepared to sell, a full-blown takeover bid is unlikely to succeed.
Mr Dalman, who was unavailable for comment last night, is well-known figure in German banking circles.
The 45-year-old is a member of the German bank's board, and has has helped it build an operation from scratch in five years.
The number of shares he has bought is likely to be known this morning.
The move comes as the intentions of Mr Magnier and Mr McManus trigger fresh controversy.
They have let it be known that they do not intend yet to launch a full-blown takeover offer. Mr Magnier is involved in a row with Sir Alex Ferguson, United's manager ,over the ownership of racehorse Rock of Gibraltar. Their relationship is thought to be at rock bottom.
Although the Irish racing enthusiasts are the largest shareholders, City sources believe that Mr Glazer is more likely to table a bid for the club.
The self-made millionaire has a reputation as shrewd investor who would be expected to exploit the Manchester United brand, already strong in Asia, in the United States.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1095227,00.html
www.shareholdersunited.org
do the right thing, sign up, own a piece of the club you love and in doing so prevent these predatory cnuts from using our club as their financial plaything.
