Saudi Arabia would support bids for Manchester United or Liverpool

The Glazer family announced this week that they are open to selling

after 17 years. Manchester United confirmed they will consider several options "including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company”.

owner, Fenway Sports Group, also confirmed last month that they are prepared to sell their controlling stake in the club.

Saudi Arabia’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has revealed that the government would support investors to take over Manchester United and Liverpool.

He told Sky News:

”I hope so, if there are investors and the numbers add up, and it makes a good business, then the private sector could come in, or companies could come in, from the kingdom."

He added:

"The Premier League is the best league in the world. Everyone's watching the Premier League. It's the most watched league and there are diehard fans of these teams in the kingdom. So it would be a benefit for everyone."

"I can say that we have a strong league. It's not one of the strongest in Asia. You know, we're building towards a better future. And we see how the future holds up for that.”

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund already bought Newcastle football club last year. It is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but Premier League decided that it was not government-controlled and allowed them to buy Newcastle.

He continued:

"And you know, I heard about these speculations in the news as, as everyone else. I don't have any details about any of the reports that have been coming out. But you know, what I can say is that we have Messi as an ambassador for tourism in the kingdom with the ministry of tourism - and that's benefited a lot.

"In terms of tourism for the kingdom, if they can, I'd love to see them both play in the Saudi league, and, you know, if top players come into the Saudi league and play that will reinforce the programmes that we're doing."

Follow 

for the