Beckham ‘open to talks’ over Man Utd takeover

David Beckham is reportedly open to talks with bidders about taking over at Manchester United, The Sun reported.

The Glazers confirmed on Tuesday that they are willing to sell the club.

Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already emerged as a potential suitor to purchase the Red Devils.

And according to the Financial Times, those hoping to secure a takeover could bring Beckham on board to ensure they clinch a deal.

The England legend, who boasts a net worth of around £370million, would not be able to afford a takeover on his own, but would be a valuable asset to any consortium.

As a Man Utd legend, Beckham would carry a lot of weight if he were to support a particular bid.

He spent nearly a decade in the first team at Old Trafford, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.

Beckham contributed 85 goals and 109 assists in 388 matches under Sir Alex Ferguson.

He eventually left for Real Madrid in 2003 but remains an icon at Man Utd.

And Beckham could well choose to back Ratcliffe’s bid if the British money man should try to enlist his help.

Speaking about Man Utd back in May, Beckham said: “There are changes to be made and changes that are happening.

“There’s not many teams to have gone through what they’ve gone through in the past few years and still [be] filling out their stadium.”

The Glazers value the club at somewhere between £6bn-£8bn.

However, billionaire Ratcliffe, a Man Utd fan, will reportedly not pay any more than £5bn for the club.

Ratcliffe revealed last month that he had made a private approach to the Glazers in August, when the first rumours of a possible sale began to surface and after he had been rebuffed in his attempt to gatecrash Todd Boehly’s Chelsea purchase.

He said: “The club is deeply etched in my mind.

“I have met Joel and Avram (Glazer), who are the nicest people, proper gentlemen, really nice people – and they don’t want to sell.

“If it had been for sale in the summer, yes, we would probably have had a go, following on from the Chelsea thing.