Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold held sponsorship talks with Saudi Arabia prior to the World Cup, according to reports.
Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold is seeking a new shirt sponsor (Image: Getty)
However, it has been claimed that discussions have been ‘stopped’ soon before pen was due to be put to paper on the lucrative deal.
Arnold is reported to have met with officials from the Saudi Tourism Authority regarding the Red Devils’ front-of-shirt sponsor. United have agreed to end their relationship with German software company Team Viewer but the branding will remain on their shirt until a new sponsor is found.
Talks were held over United having the ‘Visit Saudi’ messaging on the front of their shirts. Arnold met with the representative of the authority, Anas Al-Sharif, and the representative of social responsibility, Saud Al-Subaie.
Following discussions held prior to the Qatari World Cup, a contract was supposed to be signed between both parties this week. However, the Saudi Tourism Authority has now pulled out of an agreement.
Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold reportedly held sponsorship talks with Saudi Arabia (Image: GETTY IMAGES)
That is according to Middle Eastern outlet EPL World, who do not expand on why a deal is no longer in place. Saudi Arabia’s increased involvement in football has come under scrutiny in recent years due to its poor human rights record.
In October 2021, the Saudi Public Investment Fund bought an 80 per cent stake in Premier League side Newcastle. The takeover has been widely criticised by human rights groups.
United are seeking a new shirt sponsor after their £235m deal with Team Viewer was terminated earlier this month. The software company, which rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a drop in its share price.
A club statement from December 15 read: “Man Utd shall have the option to buy back the rights to the club’s shirt front sponsorship.
حصري 🚨🚨
هيئة السياحة السعودية توقف المفاوضات مع نادي مانشستر يونايتد بخصوص رعاية قميص النادي، كان هناك اجتماع ثلاثي بين الرئيس التنفيذي للنادي وممثل الهيئة أنس الشريف وممثل خبراء المسؤولية الاجتماعية سعود السبيعي، و كان من المفترض توقيع العقد الاولي بين الطرفين هذا الاسبوع 🥲 pic.twitter.com/PD6KErb9cJ
— EPL World (@EPLworld) December 30, 2022
“United will be taking the opportunity to commence a focused sales process for a new shirt front partner.”
The Red Devils, meanwhile, are likely to spend in January despite a huge £150m outlay last summer. A striker is high on the agenda, with Erik ten Hag insisting he needs a new forward following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was axed in November following a fiery outburst about Ten Hag and other club officials in an interview with Piers Morgan. The 37-year-old has been linked with Saudi outfit Al-Nassr in a whopping £175m deal.
United missed out on PSV star Cody Gakpo, who will join north-west rivals Liverpool when the January window opens, and must now turn their attentions to other targets.
source: https://www.express.co.uk/
