Reborn Capital Empire

Chapter 706 Acquisition of Manchester United

…

Phoenix Financial Group, as a well-known large-scale financial investment group in the UK, not only has Rover cars, but also real estate, industry and financial investment.

As for Scottish Power, it is currently one of the six vertically integrated power companies in the UK. All aspects of production, distribution and retail are involved. In central and southern Scotland, North Wales, and Cheshire and Shropshire, it provides electricity to 5.2 million UK households and has 7430.5 megawatts of generating capacity. It is a well-deserved giant in the UK public sector, especially the power sector.

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

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

"I know. You can communicate my request to the senior management of Phoenix International Group, especially Mr. Anderson. If you have any news, just call me. As for the beyond, I can pay." After the words were finished, Guo Shouyun stood up. , "Let's be here first today, I hope to get a reply from Phoenix International Group as soon as possible."

"Mr. Guo, your present."

I glanced at the small Qianlong enamel bowl that was still in the box. Such a good thing cannot fall into the hands of the ignorant guys like the British. It just so happens that Hanhua is still preparing for the museum in the magic capital. As a heavyweight collection, this Qianlong enamel color is just right for use.

"Thank you!"

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

…

"Do you think Phoenix Financial Group can agree?"

asked Brito, sitting on the way back to Birmingham from the Rover factory. He still remembers Kevin Howard's inexplicable shock after listening to Guo Shouyun's words.

"It's okay to agree or not. Our conditions should always be higher. Otherwise, we will suffer more than $2 billion in losses for them. Even if I really want Rover, I can't agree."

Brito nodded.

"However, the Rover thing drags on for too long, and I'm afraid it will delay the development of our new car."

"This is indeed a problem." Guo Shouyun pondered for a moment, "You ask Renault Motors to see if they can sell us the technology of their 'Tafiq' light commercial vehicle! If they agree, we will use the Tafiq The first-generation H1 series light commercial vehicle was developed and launched on the market by making certain adjustments to the appearance and interior of the car.”

As a veteran industrial powerhouse, the French have solid car-making skills. It's just that in the crucial industrial design, Tafik really has no friends.

Obviously it is a light commercial vehicle, but it has the same 'skin' as the Brilliance Jinbei van, and the key price is still two or three times that of the Jinbei. The real price is not pleasing, the appearance is not pleasing, and the market is naturally not good.

This is the same as a blind date between men and women. Although you are talented, you can cook with **** and tenderness, and you have a good job, but if you are not good-looking, then the girls are not interested in understanding your inner self.

Guo Shouyun thought about using the inner part of 'Tafik' to change it's skin. Doing so can save a lot of development time and get new cars 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 auto companies in Huaxia, the method that is commonly used now is to buy engines and parts from abroad, and put together a model like building blocks and launch it to the market, but it is much stronger. At least Tafik's engine, gearbox, chassis and other technologies have undergone a lot of experiments, completely matched, and the failure rate is lower.

Brito nodded. During this time, he has been doing research on China's auto industry and market, and naturally he knows the situation inside.

"Also, representatives of twenty-three creditors of Rover Motors will go to London tomorrow afternoon. According to the plan we discussed before, you should talk to them first."

"Will this affect our negotiations with Phoenix?"

Brito was afraid that its own performance on Rover was too urgent, and the discounted price of Phoenix International Group was lower than expected.

"If we don't settle Rover's debt first, when we reach an agreement with Phoenix, I'm afraid these creditors will also raise their conditions."

"I think we can still negotiate the merger of the acquisition of Rover and its debt. This will help us strive for better terms in this negotiation."

Guo Shouyun briefly thought about it and then nodded.

"Just do as you say!"

"Yes!"

After returning to London and temporarily handing over the Rover affairs to Brito, Guo Shouyun was concerned about the acquisition of Manchester United.

As the most influential club in the Premier League at present, Manchester United's shareholders are full of diehard fans who have no reservations about the team, but this group of people definitely does not include the Irish horse racing tycoon Magnier. After becoming Manchester United's largest shareholder, he has never been at Old Trafford, 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 300 pence, he had long been disgusted with Ferguson and sold all his 75.7 million Manchester United shares, holding the Bruce Fund's 227 million Sterling to find better investment opportunities.

Irish mining tycoon Harry Dobson, who holds a 6.5% stake in Manchester United, also did not reject Guo Shouyun's acquisition.

We are all businessmen, as long as the price is right, nothing is not for sale.

As for the Glazer family, although they started to buy shares in Manchester United in 2003, because of Guo Shouyun's disruption, Manchester United's share price has risen, and their shareholding has not exceeded 10%.

After the Bruce Fund, which represented Guo Shouyun, bought the shares of Manchester United held by Magnier and Dobson, and concentrated the shares that were scattered in various shell companies and belonged to Manchester United. Guo Shouyun's stake in Manchester United exceeded 70% in an instant.

The Glazer family, who had no hope of acquisition, simply sold their stake at a high price and withdrew from this competition that they had not had time to really participate in. There are twenty 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 scattered shares in the market in the name of the Bruce Foundation. With the cooperation of Ferguson, the soul of Manchester United, the Manchester United board did not set up obstacles to his acquisition. In just half a month, Guo Shouyun obtained more than 90% of Manchester United's equity, meeting the conditions for forced delisting.

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

Carrington base, the true heart of Manchester United.

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

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

In the hearts of many Manchester United football fans, Carrington Base is an undisputed holy place. In addition to being able to see it on TV and the Internet, it is a luxury to touch its lawn in reality. And now, not only did he stand at the very core of it, but he actually owned it.

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

David Gill stood at the back, looking at the tall figure standing in front of the French window with arms folded not far away. Just half a month ago, this was a businessman, a genius in the financial world, and a world-class super-rich who was still out of reach for him. The gap between the two sides seems to be a lifetime that will not allow them to have any communication. Who would have thought that in just a few days, he would become the other party's subordinate.

"Dong dong...!"

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, pushed the door and walked in.

"Sorry, I'm late!"

"There are still two minutes, so strictly speaking, it is not late." After waving for the two of them to come and sit down, Guo Shouyun also sat down on the sofa next to him.

"David, how was the financial situation of the team last season?"

David Gill has served as Manchester United's financial director, vice president, general manager of the board of directors, and chief executive officer. It has been nearly seven years since he joined Manchester United in 1997. He can be described as a veteran. Guo Shouyun also took a fancy to his ability when he left him. Manchester United's ability to beat Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, which is supported by local tycoons in the Middle East, and Bayern Munich, the crown of German football, David Gill's management has contributed greatly. Of course, in addition to his business ability, he can get along well with the stubborn Lord Ferguson, which is also something 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 revenue from 17 companies such as Nike and American International Group was 54.39 million pounds."

Guo Shouyun remembered that Manchester United was called a 'Sponsorship Maniac' in his previous life, and the income from commercial sponsorships only overwhelmed 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 left!"

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

David Gill nodded, the new owner has many companies. And Manchester United has tens of millions of fans around the world, and hundreds of millions of people watching Manchester United games. Such good advertising resources, of course, give priority to their own people.

After Guo Shouyun signaled to continue, "the broadcast fee share income is 48.7 million pounds! However, the contract expires next year. I believe the new broadcast contract can bring our income to a higher level."

Now the Premier League's annual broadcast contract is 500 million pounds per year, which rose to 1.3 billion pounds in 2005, and nearly doubled to 2.3 billion pounds in 2013; the Premier League broadcast contract before Guo Shouyun's crossing was already A staggering £5.1 billion.

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

However, the broadcast fee is not all of the club's income.

"…Match day ticket receipts, shirts and memorabilia at Old Trafford totalled £36.67 million. Player transfers were £31.24 million."

Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium is the most popular stadium in Europe, with 68,217 seats, it is currently the largest stadium in England, with an occupancy rate of 99%, and has the title of "Dream Theater".

"In terms of spending, player and staff wages were £81.39 million."

Generally speaking, it is healthy and reasonable for football clubs to maintain a player salary expenditure of around 50%. Obviously, Manchester United has done a good job in this regard.

"Additionally, we bought Wayne Rooney from Everton for £27m and Alan Smith from Leeds for £7m. ... Last season, the total balance was £55.6m, net profit after tax £33.4 million. It currently has a cumulative surplus of £113 million on the books.”

In 2000, Manchester United had just completed the expansion of the Old Trafford stadium, and the result is still a surplus of 113 million pounds. It can be seen that Manchester United's commercial operation ability is strong, and it is no wonder that Murdoch and the later Glazer family have been eyeing.

Guo Shouyun nodded. Although it is a good thing to keep so much surplus on the books, it is not a good thing in terms of capital utilization.

"Is there room for expansion at Old Trafford?"

David Gill nodded ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ can be expanded in the southeast and northwest corners. "

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

"Yes!"

Guo Shouyun turned to look at Ferguson, "Alex, is there anything else you need to adjust about the team's lineup? Keane is 33 years old. Although he is in good shape, he no longer has the ability to play the main force for a full season. The midfielder position is the key to the team, and we have to make plans early. In addition, the goalkeeper Howard, who was introduced last year, is good, but his ability is not up to the requirements of Manchester United.”

In addition to the midfielder and goalkeeper, Guo Shouyun still has some dissatisfaction with Manchester United's lineup. For example, Saha, who moved to Manchester United from Fulham for a top striker worth 18 million euros, did not show the ability of a top center at all. Although he performed well in the later period, compared with the Fulham period, he scored nearly 20 goals in a season. The performance is too far off.

However, because I promised that Ferguson would not interfere with his operation of the team, it is not good to interfere too much with his arrangement, but the positions of the midfielder and the goalkeeper are too critical. Even if Guo Shouyun has previous promises, he can't really ignore anything.

"The positions of the midfielder and the goalkeeper are very critical. I haven't found a suitable candidate yet." Ferguson said after a moment of hesitation.

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

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