Manchester United plc (NYSE:MANU) was surging on Nov. 25, 2022 on a report that Apple Inc. (NasdaqGS:AAPL) is interested in buying the professional soccer club. Manchester United released a statement earlier this week saying that the company’s board of directors is “commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club” to enhance growth.

Some of these alternatives include new investments or a sale of the club, the company said in its statement. The English newspaper the Daily Star said on Nov. 25, 2022 that Apple is interested in buying Manchester United for ?5.8 billion ($7 billion).

The newspaper didn’t identify the sources of its information. “CEO Tim Cook is keen to explore the opportunities owning United could provide – and will line up talks with the banks appointed to oversee the sale, which include The Raine Group,” the Daily Star said. The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that companies with digital expertise such as Facebook parent Meta Platforms, Inc. (NasdaqGS:META) (META) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NasdaqGS:AMZN) could be eligible suitors.

Sovereign states might also be interested, it said. Manchester United, Apple, the Raine Group, and Meta didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Amazon said it doesn’t comment on rumors or speculation.