Manchester United are close to agreeing to a £70million-a-year deal to replace Chevrolet as the club’s shirt sponsors, according to reports.
The Red Devils have used the American car company as the main sponsor on their kits since the start of the 2014-15 season after agreeing to a huge deal worth around £450m in 2012.
The seven-year agreement, thought to be worth a staggering £64m each year, is still the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in world sport.
However, with the contract due to expire in 2021 and Chevrolet believed to be looking for an early exit, The Sun claims that United are nearing a deal with the Haier Group.
According to the publication, executives from the Premier League club have held several talks with the Chinese company about featuring one of their brands on their shirt in place of their current sponsors.
Despite recent struggles on the pitch under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Haier is understood to have not been put off and retain a significant interest in completing a deal.
Although club declined to comment, it is claimed that senior representatives of the company have held talks at United’s London base over the last few days – with Old Trafford bosses believed to want £70m-per-season.
The Sun reports that the two parties are nearing an agreement, but that the Red Devils are still open to considering other offers.
United have picked up just 17 points from their first 13 league games and are ninth in the table – nine points outside the top four – but the club is still considered a big commercial attraction.
And the publication claims that Haier is just one of a number of companies to have expressed their interest in replacing Chevrolet as the club’s shirt sponsor.
“United’s sponsorship process has become an industry benchmark,” an industry source told The Sun.
“Their shirt is one of the most valuable assets in world sport.”
After their latest frustrating result in the Premier League – a 3-3 draw a Sheffield United on Sunday – United are back in Europa League action on Thursday.
The Red Devils have already secured passage from Group L and travel to Astana before welcoming Aston Villa to Old Trafford at the weekend.
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