Football Philosopher
Manchester United, I'm Coming!

David is a fast-working man. After that day, David started working to sell the stock at an acceptable price. It took 2 weeks of grueling work, but he finished the deal with 1.5 billion pounds.

With the money in hand, James can't wait to start his project to buy Manchester United.

Previously he went to Manchester, to buy residential property. After that he waited for news of David's arrival to Manchester.

So, he was waiting for David in a house to talk to him. Because even though he knew the evaluation of the club from the memories of his previous life, he still did not know how to carry out the club's buying procedure. He had no connections and no information on how to do it. After all, he couldn't just show up and tell the shareholders that he wanted to buy the club.

James was deep in thought when David got there.

"How are you?" james asked while looking at the tired David.

"I'm not in the mood for pleasantries." David replied nonchalantly, "Which is more important, why did you call me all the way here?"

James knew David did not respect him and he only agreed to sell his shares and come here because of his relationship with his late father. But James doesn't mind because he knows over time he will change the way everyone thinks about him.

"I told you that I want to invest in football and I want to talk to you about it."

"Okay, what are you thinking?" David asked casually.

"I have researched and come to the conclusion to buy Manchester United" James replied with a confident expression.

"What's? Manchester United's? I thought you were here to buy Manchester City" to David's surprise.

Finally curiously, David asked, "OK, now tell me why? Do you know how much Manchester United cost? Maybe you have money now, but it's gonna be hard to get the acquisition and the price is not worth it.."

James was ready for the question. He has not been idle for the past 2 weeks in which David handled the sale of his shares. He had prepared because even though his memories from the past were there, it had taken too long to remember everything. He doesn't remember the details.

"That's because Manchester United fans are very solid and scattered all over the world, although expensive I'm sure the return is worth it as well. Just want to work hard"

Seeing David listening carefully, James continued,

"I have money, if I want to buy a club that is too weak, it would be a pity if the money is not used properly."

James looked at David. He knew David was affected by his words.

"I have to say, didn't expect you to be really serious about this, but it looks like you came prepared." David told James, "Well if you're really serious, I'll ask someone to do an investigation to find out the value of the club."

David pulls out his phone to call but James stops him, "Wait a minute"

David looked at James confusedly, "Why?"

"I've done some research on the value of the club" James told David.

Seeing David put his phone back on, James continued, "According to estimates, their squad of players is worth around 264 million pounds. Including their youth academy and other facilities, the overall price would range from 265 to 300 million. However, to acquire the club as a whole, we have to pay the owners of shares spread almost 3 times about a total of 700-800 million pounds"

David finally seemed impressed and also surprised, "What? 700-800 million?, but let me take another opinion."

"Who?" ask David.

"American businessman Malcolm Glazer already owns a 15% stake. If we don't hurry it will be fatal." James replied.

The next day after James talks with David, they will finally meet with the biggest shareholder. James bought the Manchester Evening News at a roadside counter.

"Mr May and Mr Packer", a man approached them as they waited.

"Hello Jimmy", David replies, "James, it's Jimmy. He's a great driver. He drove me around the last time I was here."

"Hello Jimmy" James said to the young taxi driver as he entered the car.

The car lit up as James made himself comfortable in the back seat and began reading the newspaper.

'Malcolm Glazer to acquire Manchester United?" read headlines in the sports section of newspapers.

"Hey David, we have to be quick, Glazer's move to acquire Manchester United got traction" David said as he looked at the newspaper.

"Don't worry, the deal's not done in the papers, after all it's a little complicated." David said confidently, "In addition I have contacted the 28.7% Manchester United shareholders Mr John Magnier and Mr McManus. In addition, fans also denounced Glazer buying the club through debt from with the club's own guarantee. They may not have had much of a choice until now, but I'm sure I can get it on our side. In addition, I also bought 2% of shares from the stock market yesterday, it will make it easier for us to pressure other shareholders after getting 28.7% shares from Mr. John Magnier and Mr. McManus. We'll be eligible to acquire the club on terms of existing terms by owning 30% stake."

James was a commoner in his last life, so he didn't know tricks and games at that level. So he chose to trust David's judgment on the matter.

They finally reached their destination.

"Mr Packer, if you want to travel anywhere in Manchester, call me."

"Of course, Jimmy, I will."

In addition, they are already planning how to approach a deal to buy the club. Most of David had already explained and James absorbed his knowledge. They have approved 300 million pounds as an acceptable evaluation for the club. David has agreed to broker this deal for a fee of 5 million pounds. James could have paid David in club shares but he wanted all the club shares under his control.

It was later determined that the entire takeover would require about 700-900 million pounds of money. Because even if the club is worth 300 million, they need to make further pledges to invest in the club in the future.

James has no objection to this as he is already planning to invest heavily in the club.

After that began a series of meetings and negotiations that were mostly handled by David. As David told James earlier, Mr. John and McManus opposed Glazer's move. So he was heavily tilted to their side after they made an offer. But to convince everyone, it took a long time. Bids from both sides continued to rise, but there was no drastic improvement from either side.

James decided to invest in the stock market. Although not a business magnate, he still remembers the main stocks that grew in the years to come. He followed crypto in his last life and also knew which companies would skyrocket. That's why he knows little about crypto but there's still time to launch the bitcoin craze, so he decided to invest 200 million pounds in stocks that he knows will grow around this time.

Finally after more than 3 months of grueling negotiations, their determination paid off. Glazer finally gave up after much pressure from various parties and James' group made a bid of 750 million pounds for the entire stock. It exceeded the value of the club by almost 3 times, David had even tried to prevent James from increasing his bid and convince him to try another club but James was stubborn.

So on April 14, 2005 it was concluded that James Packer would be the owner of 100% of the club's shares. James has promised to invest 50 million in the upcoming transfer market and another 50 million to improve club and stadium facilities. A total of 15 million will also be invested for the benefit of the people in Manchester.

Although James' money was reduced drastically from 1.5 billion pounds to only about 3-4 hundred million pounds, James was very happy to finally become the owner of the club he loved and avoid the destruction in the hands of the Glazer family.