Manchester United said to plan listing at Singapore stock exchange

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Debt-plagued English Premier League champions Manchester United plan to list on the Singapore stock exchange by the end of the year in a bid to raise about 1 billion US dollars, a media report said Wednesday.

Club representatives met officials from Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) recently, with United hoping to attract key investors such as Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings, the Straits Times newspaper reported.

Representatives of the Glazers, the US-based family which owns the club, have also been in Singapore to meet bankers, the report said.

With the deal Manchester United could tap its huge fan base in Asia, estimated at about 190 million supporters.

The Singapore exchange did not comment on the report.

"SGX has a policy of not commenting on any individual company or entity," said a spokeswoman.

The newspaper said Credit Suisse Group had been appointed the global coordinator for the listing while other banks, including JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, were also pitching for a role in the deal.

With 19 leagues titles under its belt, Manchester United is the most successful team in English football.

US-Forbes Magazine last year ranked the club second in its global list of the most valuable sports brands, just behind baseball team The New York Yankees.