Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega ‘is interested in buying Manchester United’

Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega has reportedly declared his interest in buying Manchester United from the Glazer family

Armancio Ortega, the founder of clothing brand Zara and the 19th richest man in the world, is said to have thrown his hat into the ring to buy Manchester United.

United’s current owners, the Glazer family, put other billionaires on red alert earlier this week when they revealed they were now ready to sell the club.

Now the Manchester Evening News clarified that Ortega had “already spoken to Old Trafford executives” to declare his interest in buying United.

On a day when it was revealed that Apple are keen to buy Manchester United in a £5.8billion deal, news of Ortega’s reported interest will intrigue fans desperate to see an end to the reign Glazers.

Ortega is 86 years old and worth $61.3 billion, according to The Forbes Billionaires Rich List.

The Spanish fashion billionaire has no experience managing a sports team and instead made his fortune in real estate and fashion.

He owns 59% of the Inditex clothing empire, which he launched in 1975, and last year appointed his daughter, Maria Ortega Perez, as president of Zara.

Ortega, who has three children, would represent a change from the Glazer family, owners of Manchester United since 2005.

But there should be plenty of competition for United as they remain one of the most lucrative businesses in all of sport.

The Glazers confirmed this week that they are ready to sell United after 17 years at the club

The Glazers confirmed this week that they are ready to sell United after 17 years at the club

A top priority for the new United owner will be upgrading his famous ground, Old Trafford

A top priority for the new United owner will be upgrading his famous ground, Old Trafford

In addition to news of Apple’s interest, first revealed by the daily starThere is a line of prominent figures who have expressed an interest in taking over.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk jokingly wrote on the platform this summer that he would buy the club, with the 51-year-old’s post garnering more than 800,000 likes.

UFC superstar Conor McGregor also threw his hat in the ring, having previously expressed interest in taking over the club.

The 34-year-old took to Twitter after the announcement of the European Super League in April last year, writing: “Hey guys I’m thinking of buying Manchester United!” What do you think?’

Any potential deal would almost certainly become the costliest acquisition by a football club in history, topping the £4.25billion fee a Todd Boehly-led consortium paid for Chelsea earlier this year. .

Ortega has no previous experience in sports having made his billions in the fashion world

Ortega has no previous experience in sports having made his billions in the fashion world

One of the main problems facing anyone buying United is Old Trafford, the club’s iconic stadium. The venue has long needed an overhaul to compete with the biggest clubs in the world.

It is understood that the stadium will cost around £1.5billion to rebuild, making it the most expensive football ground in the world – ahead of Tottenham’s new £1billion stadium.

United moved into the ground – dubbed ‘The Theater of Dreams’ by fans around the world – in 1910 and have called it home ever since. The stadium was recently renovated between 2005 and 2006, with the addition of 8,000 seats.

Elon Musk has tweeted about the potential purchase of Manchester United this summer

Conor McGregor has repeatedly stated his ambition to buy a football club

Elon Musk (left) and Conor McGregor (right) have previously expressed interest in buying the club

Red Devils legend Gary Neville backed calls for a full stadium rebuild, when stories of investment in the arena first emerged in February.

He posted on Instagram: “There’s a story emerging from Old Trafford that they could rebuild the whole stadium and I’ve just been asked what I think.” I actually think that would be the right decision.

“I think the moment they spent the money on Old Trafford, the one that exists, then I think you better build a brand new and better super stadium. I think Manchester United should always be at the top of the stadiums, have the best facilities and they have fallen behind.

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