Former Manchester United takeover bidder Thomas Zilliacus has returned with a new £375 million proposal for the club.
The wealthy businessman submitted a bid to buy United after the Glazer family put the club up for sale.
He competed against Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim by launching his supporter-driven bid, which he claimed could have earned up to £15 billion.
Zilliacus eventually pulled out of the race, with Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS purchasing a stake to gain sporting control at Old Trafford.
However, the former Nokia executive has now made another proposal for United in the form of a lucrative sponsorship deal.
Zilliacus told the Manchester Evening News: “I have decided to offer Manchester United a sponsorship deal through my company XXI Century Capital Group.
“I want to be able to give a Christmas present to Manchester United. For me, it’s not about owning something. It’s not about having a trophy to show off.
“It’s about how we make Manchester United so strong financially that they can become the number one club, not only in England, but in Europe.
“So, I have decided to propose a $500m (£375m) sponsorship deal over five years. It goes back to global fan engagement and how we get the fans involved around the world.
“I have a programme that activates these fans, and it’s around that that I am confident I can offer this sponsorship deal over five years.”
Zilliacus’ net worth is not publicly known, but he is not believed to be as wealthy as Ratcliffe.
The latter has made positive changes at the club. United made smart acquisitions last summer, signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
Cunha, Mebumo and Lammens have been regular starters under Ruben Amorim this season, while Sesko has also shown glimpses of his quality.
