Formula One chief, Mr Bernie Ecclestone, is being linked with a a counter-bid to BSkyB's £623 million sterling bid for Manchester United, and has confirmed he is the financial power behind plans to set up a breakaway European Super League.
Manchester United would be bound by law to consult their shareholders on any bid higher than BSkyB's, and according to one report Mr Ecclestone is prepared to offer £700 million.
Mr Ecclestone's highly advanced digital TV business make him ideally placed to offer a huge range of pay-per-view matches - and that is the basis of his involvement with Media Partners, the Italian marketing firm behind proposals for a Super League that have been discussed with United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
He said: "My interest is getting this whole thing off the ground. I am involved but only a little bit at the moment. I do not know what my involvement will be in the future. I think a Super League is a great idea."
It has also being reported that United fan and Simply Red star Mr Mick Hucknall has had talks with American TV company CNN - owned by Murdoch's media rival Mr Ted Turner - about another bid to challenge the Sky deal.
