Chapter 706: Acquisition of Manchester United

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As a well-known large-scale financial investment group in the UK, Phoenix Financial Group is not only owned by Rover Motors, but also by real estate and industry, and financial investment is also the field they are involved in.

As for Scottish Power, it is currently one of the six vertically integrated power companies in the UK. It involves all aspects of production, distribution and retail. It provides electricity to 5.2 million UK households in central and southern Scotland, North Wales, and Cheshire and Shropshire with 7,430.5 MW of generating capacity. It is a well-deserved giant in the UK public utilities sector, especially in the electricity sector.

"Mr. Guo, I can't give you an answer right away on this matter. And the value of Scottish Power far exceeds the value of Rover Motors' assets. ”

After a long time, Kevin Howard, who had recovered his composure from the shock, immediately said.

"I know. You can communicate my request to the top management of Phoenix International Group, especially Mr. Anderson. If there's any news, just call me. As for the transcendent part, I can pay for it. After the words fell, Guo Shouyun stood up, "Let's get here first today, I hope to get a reply from Phoenix International Group as soon as possible." ”

"Mr. Guo, your gift. ”

glanced at the Qianlong enamel bowl that was still in the box, such a good thing could not be ruined in the hands of these ignorant guys of the British. It just so happens that Hanhua is still preparing for the museum of the magic capital, and as a heavyweight collection, this Qianlong enamel is just right for use.

"Thank you!"

After waving Wu Xiaojing to put it away, the group left the Rover factory accompanied by Kevin Howard.

……

"Do you think Phoenix Financial Group can agree?"

Sitting on the way out of the Rover factory and back to Birmingham, Bo Ruituo asked. He still remembers Kevin Howard's shocked and inexplicable appearance after listening to Guo Shouyun's words.

"Say yes or no. Our conditions must always be higher. Otherwise, let us bear more than $2 billion in losses for them, even if I really want Rover, I can't agree to it. ”

Bo Ruituo nodded.

"However, if the Rover affair drags on for too long, I am afraid that the development of our new car will be delayed. ”

"It's really a problem. Guo Shouyun pondered for a moment, "You ask Renault Automobile Company to see if they can sell us the technology of their 'Tafik' light commercial vehicle! If they agree, we will use Tafik's chassis, engine and technology to make certain adjustments to the appearance and interior of the car, and develop the first generation of H1 series light commercial vehicles and launch them on the market." ”

As an old industrial power, the French still have a solid car-making technology. It's just that when it comes to crucial industrial design, Tafik is so bad that he has no friends.

Obviously it is a light commercial vehicle, but it turns out to be the same 'skin' as the Brilliance Jinbei van, and the key price is two or three times that of Jinbei. The price is not pleasing to the name, the appearance is not pleasing to the eye, and the market is naturally not very good.

This is the same as a blind date between men and women, although you are talented, sexually and gentle, can cook, and have a good job, but if you don't look good, then the girls are not interested in understanding your inside.

Guo Shouyun thought about using the inner part of 'Tafik' to change its skin. This saves a lot of development time and gets the new car to market as quickly as possible. Of course, the result of such a hasty market launch will inevitably affect the driving experience of the H1 series light commercial vehicles. But even so, compared with most local car companies in China now, the commonly used method of buying engines and parts from abroad and building blocks to put together a model to launch the market is much stronger. At the very least, Tafik's engine, gearbox, chassis and other technologies have undergone a lot of experiments, are completely matched, and the failure rate is lower.

Bo Ruituo nodded, during this time he has been doing research on the automobile industry and market in Huaxia, so he naturally knows the situation inside.

"Also, tomorrow afternoon, the representatives of the 23 creditors of Rover Motors will go to London, and according to the plan we discussed before, you can talk to them first. ”

"Will this affect our negotiations with Phoenix?"

Bo Ruituo was afraid that he was too eager to show Rover Motors, and the price of Phoenix International Group's discount was lower than expected.

"If Rover's debts are not settled first, when we reach an agreement with Phoenix, I'm afraid these creditors will also raise their terms. ”

"I don't think we're going to be able to combine the acquisition of Rover with its debt. That will help us negotiate better conditions in this negotiation. ”

Guo Shouyun nodded after a brief consideration.

"Just do as you say!"

"Yes!"

After returning to London and handing over Rover's affairs to Bo Ruituo for the time being, Guo Shouyun was concerned about the acquisition of Manchester United.

As the most internationally influential giant team in the Premier League at present, Manchester United's shareholders have many die-hard fans who have no reservations about the team, but this group definitely does not include Irish horse racing tycoon Magnier, who has never appeared at Old Trafford since becoming Manchester United's largest shareholder, and watching a Manchester United game is very telling.

Therefore, after Wang Jue, who came to the door with Guo Shouyun's order, quoted a high price of 300p, he had long been disgusted with Ferguson, and he sold all the 75.7 million shares of Manchester United he held, and took 227 million pounds from the Bruce Fund to look for better investment opportunities.

Harry Dobson, an Irish mining tycoon who owns a 6.5% stake in Manchester United, also did not reject Guo's takeover.

Everyone is a businessman, and as long as the price is right, there is nothing for sale.

As for the Glazer family, although they began to buy shares in Manchester United in 03, because of Guo Shouyun's turmoil, Manchester United's stock price rose, and their shareholding has not exceeded 10% so far.

Wait until the Bruce Fund, which represents Guo Shouyun, buys the equity of Manchester United in the hands of Magnier and Dobson, and concentrates the equity that belongs to Manchester United scattered in various shell companies. Guo Shouyun's stake in Manchester United instantly exceeded 70%.

The Glazer family, who had no hope of acquiring it at all, simply sold their stake for a high price and withdrew from the battle that they had not had time to actually participate in. There are 20 teams in the Premier League, and they have other options besides Manchester United.

At this time, Guo Shouyun, who held more than 80% of the shares, continued to acquire individual shares in the market in the name of the Bruce Foundation. With Alex Ferguson, the soul of Manchester United, the Manchester United board of directors did not put obstacles in the way of his acquisition. In just half a month, Guo Shouyun got more than 90% of Manchester United's equity and met the conditions for forced delisting.

On 17 August 2004, 13 years after Manchester United went public, it was officially delisted from the London Stock Exchange.

Carrington, the true heart of Manchester United.

The office of Sir Roy Garnald, the former chairman of the board, became Guo Shouyun's. Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows here, you can overlook the entire Carrington base, both the view and the location are very good.

At this moment, Guo Shouyun also has a ripple in his heart!

In the hearts of many Manchester United football dicks, the Carrington base is the undisputed mecca. In addition to being able to watch it from TV and the Internet, touching its lawn in reality is a luxury. And now, he's not only at the heart of it, but he's really owning it.

Guo Shouyun also has a sense of satisfaction in his heart at this moment!

David Gill stood behind the side, looking at the tall figure standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window with his arms crossed not far away. Just half a month ago, this was still out of reach for him, a business tycoon, a financial wizard, and a world-class super-rich. The gap between the two sides seems to never allow them to have any communication for the rest of their lives. Unexpectedly, in just a few days, he became the other party's subordinate.

"Knock...!"

There was a knock on the door.

"Please come in!"

Guo Shouyun turned around and saw Ferguson, who had gray hair and a serious expression, pushing the door and walking in.

"Sorry, I'm late!"

"There were two minutes left, so not strictly too late. After waving his hand to signal the two of them to come and sit down, Guo Shouyun also sat down on the sofa next to him.

"David, how was the team's finances last season?"

David Gill, who has served as Manchester United's financial director, vice president, general manager and chief executive officer, has been with Manchester United for nearly seven years since joining Manchester United in 1997. Guo Shouyun left him because he also took a fancy to his ability. Manchester United's ability to beat Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, which is supported by Middle Eastern tycoons, and Bayern Munich, the crown of German football, David Gil's management has contributed a lot. Of course, in addition to his business ability, he can get along well with the stubborn Lord Fu, which is also a point that Guo Shouyun likes.

Nothing is more important than internal harmony!

"In the 2003~2004 season, the club's revenue was 171 million pounds. Among them, the commercial income from 17 companies such as Nike and American International Group was 54.39 million pounds. ”

Guo Shouyun remembers that in his previous life, Manchester United was called a 'sponsorship maniac', and the income from commercial sponsorship alone surpassed the major giants.

"How long is the contract with AIG?"

American International Group, also known as AIG, is Manchester United's current shirt chest sponsor.

"Three years to go!"

"When it expires, don't renew it. I have a more suitable choice!"

David Gill nodded, the new boss has many companies. And Manchester United has tens of millions of fans around the world, and hundreds of millions of people watch Manchester United games.

After Guo Shouyun signaled to continue, "The broadcast fee sharing income is 48.7 million pounds! But the contract expires next year, and I believe that the new broadcast contract will make our income go to a greater level." ”

Now the Premier League's annual broadcast contract is 500 million pounds a year, and when the new contract was added in 05, it rose to 1.3 billion pounds, and in 13 years it nearly doubled to 2.3 billion pounds, and Guo Shouyun's Premier League broadcast contract before the crossing has reached a staggering 5.1 billion pounds.

Of course, Manchester United's £48.7 million broadcast revenue is not just from the Premier League, but also from the Champions League.

However, broadcast fees are not the whole story of the club's income.

“… Matchday ticket revenue, jerseys and memorabilia at Old Trafford totalled £36.67 million. The player's transfer income was £31.24 million. ”

Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium is the hottest stadium in Europe, with 68,217 seats, it is currently the largest stadium in England, with an attendance rate of 99%, and has the title of 'Theatre of Dreams'.

"In terms of expenditure, players and staff wages were spent at £81.39 million. ”

Generally speaking, it is healthy and reasonable for football clubs to spend around 50% of their players' salaries, and it is clear that United are doing a good job in this regard.

'In addition, we bought Wayne Rooney from Everton for £27 million and Alan Smith from Leeds United for £7 million. … Last season, there was a total balance of £55.6 million and a net profit after tax of £33.4 million. It currently has a surplus of £113 million. ”

In 2000, United had just completed the expansion of Old Trafford, and as a result, they still had a surplus of £113 million. It can be seen that Manchester United's commercial operation ability is strong, and it is no wonder that it will be targeted by Murdoch and the later Glazer family.

Guo Shouyun nodded, although it is a good thing to keep so many surpluses on the books, but in terms of capital utilization, it is not a good thing.

"Is there room for expansion at Old Trafford?"

David Gill nodded.

"Expansion can be done in the southeast and northwest corners. ”

"Make a stadium expansion plan and increase the number of seats in the stadium to about 80,000 within the scope of the team's financial support!"

"Yes!"

Guo Shouyun turned his head to look at Ferguson, "Alex, do you have anything else to adjust about the team's lineup?" Keane is 33 years old, and although he is in good shape, he no longer has the ability to play the main team for a full season. The midfield position is key to the team and we have to plan ahead. In addition, although the goalkeeper Howard brought in last year is good, his ability is not up to the requirements of Manchester United. ”

In addition to the midfielder and goalkeeper, Guo Shouyun has some dissatisfaction with Manchester United's lineup. For example, Saha, who transferred from Fulham to Manchester United for a top striker of 18 million euros, did not play the ability of a top center forward at all, although the late performance was okay, but compared to the Fulham period, the performance of nearly 20 goals in a season was too far behind.

However, because he promised Ferguson that he would not interfere with his operation of the team, it is not good to interfere too much with his arrangement, but the position of midfielder and goalkeeper is too crucial. Even if Guo Shouyun has a previous promise, he can't really care about anything.

'The midfielder and goalkeeper positions are very important and I haven't found the right person yet. Ferguson hesitated for a moment.

"Alex, if you don't have a good candidate. I have two of them for your reference. While Ferguson's eyes looked over, Guo Shouyun continued: "Xavi Alonso of the Spanish Real Sociedad team, and the main goalkeeper of the French Ligue 1 Rennes Football Club, Peter Cech!"

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