MORE TAKEOVER TALK

Last updated : 28 November 2003 By Editor

This from The Guardian on the latest player on the stock market.

Manchester United will face fresh takeover speculation today when it emerges that a near 6% stake in the Premier League club has been bought for close to £30m.

The deal is thought to have been brokered by Mehmet Dalman, the London head of the Germany's Commerzbank, who is known to have been trawling the City for a sizable stake in his favourite club.

City sources were speculating last night whether Cyprus-born Mr Dalman was acting alone, on behalf of the German bank or in conjunction with one of the existing investors in Manchester United.

He is thought to be a sports fan, with interests ranging from horse racing to American football, prompting rumours that he is an associate of Malcolm Glazer, owner of American football club the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has amassed a stake of almost 10% in Manchester United.

The latest stake is thought to have been gained from a variety of shareholders who were keen to sell at historically high levels for the shares. They closed yesterday at 249p, after a late 6.25p rally.