Manchester United share price rockets by $400m ahead of potential Qatar takeover at Old Trafford

The value of Manchester United has soared on the stock market ahead of the soft deadline for takeover bids to be submitted.

The Glazers have set a soft deadline of February 17 for serious takeover proposals to be submitted and multiple reports emerged on Thursday which suggested there is interest from Qatar, America and Saudi Arabia in acquiring the club.

United drew 2-2 with Barcelona at Camp Nou on Thursday night and the club's value soared shortly after full-time in that Europa League game, with a bid from Qatari investors, in particular, appearing to gather pace prior to the soft deadline.

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At just before 8pm on Thursday, the market value of the club had increased by $400m since the start of trading in the morning. For perspective, that increase in value is worth more than what a Saudi-led consortium bought Newcastle for in 2021.

Manchester United plc shares are currently trading at 24.53USD, which is more than double the record low of 11.07USD last year.

At the beginning of last season, the shares in the club were valued at 15.66USD and eventually peaked at 20.74USD, following a strong start to the campaign and a significant commercial boost after the re-signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.

The Glazers have been majority shareholders at Old Trafford since 2005, but United announced in November they were 'exploring strategic opportunities' for the club, which could include selling it.

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