TMJ eyeing a stake in Red Devils

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Football Club owner Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim is eyeing a stake in English football giant Manchester United Football Club.

The Tunku Mahkota Johor, also known as TMJ, revealed that there was an opportunity for him to invest and own a percentage in the Red Devils.

“I know there is an opening for me to own a small percentage of between two and five per cent in Manchester United and I will evaluate it," he said.

He added that the club's high and consistent commercial value was one of the reasons he wanted to invest.

"Manchester United has been superb and consistent, ” he told a press conference at JDT headquarters here on Friday (March 19).

According to the Deloitte 2021 Football Money League ranking, Manchester United is ranked fourth among the world’s top 20 richest clubs with a total revenue of €580.4mil (RM2.86bil).

Tunku Ismail added that as a football fan, it has always been his dream of having a share in a European football club and he was open to any club.

“It must be an elite European football club and not some clubs playing in the second division.

“It can be a small equity where I can increase it in the future as what I am doing is not to capitalise for myself but also for JDT, ” he added.

On updates about him buying Spanish La Liga side Valencia CF, Tunku Ismail said the door still remained open but there were certain matters that needed to be resolved.

“Like any other investment, there are some pros and cons and it is the same whether it is Valencia, Manchester United, or even AC Milan.

“Hopefully, with the Covid-19 situation improving which would give me the freedom to travel, I will go there to discuss it further before making a decision, ” he added.

Earlier this month, Tunku Ismail created a buzz when he signalled interest in buying Valencia through his Instagram.

Valencia, a UEFA Champions League finalist in 2000 and 2001 and six-time Spanish champions, is currently owned by Singapore businessman Peter Lim.