United set for £600m Adidas deal after Nike snub
GERMAN sportswear giant Adidas is in pole position to become Manchester United’s new kit supplier in a world record £600m deal after their main rivals Nike walked away from negotiations.
Warrior, the American brand which signalled its intention to be a major player by striking a £150m six-year deal with Liverpool in 2012, has also been in talks with United.
Adidas, however, have deeper pockets and a far stronger foothold in the game and, having seen off Nike, seem set to return to Old Trafford from next summer, having partnered the club previously from 1980 to 1992.
United are thought to have been seeking a 10-year deal worth £60m per season – figures that dwarf Real Madrid’s £31m per season contract with Adidas, the current biggest agreement.
Nike, which paid United £23m a year, said: “Any partnership with a club or federation has to be mutually beneficial and the terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike’s shareholders.”