Malaysian budget airline AirAsia are the latest organisation to have talks with Manchester United over becoming their next shirt sponsors.
The Red Devils need a replacement for AIG, the troubled United States-based insurance giant, which has confirmed it will not be renewing its current contract, which expires next year.
Despite the global economic downturn, United are still quietly confident of agreeing an increase on the present £19 million a year they make in total from their deal with AIG, which began in 2006.
It was confirmed last month that negotiations had taken place with giant Indian corporation Sahara, while Saudi Telecom are also believed to be in the running.
Now AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes has confirmed he will meet United counterpart David Gill about the possibility of becoming the club's shirt sponsor, although he has hinted the current economic climate may impact on their budget.
"There is no doubt that this would be great for AirAsia," said Fernandes on his personal blog.
"I don't know what the entire package would amount to but I was just thrilled that we have reached a stage where Manchester United would actually think that we are a big enough brand to afford them and that they would want our brand on them.
"To be honest, I don't know what the entire package would amount to, as prices would have to come down. But it must be stated that all our branding commitments have always been about the impact to our bottom line."
AirAsia, which is already an official partner of United, was launched as a budget carrier in December 2001 with just two aircraft. It now flies more than 100 domestic and international routes across Asia, including to London.
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The Red Devils need a replacement for AIG, the troubled United States-based insurance giant, which has confirmed it will not be renewing its current contract, which expires next year.
Despite the global economic downturn, United are still quietly confident of agreeing an increase on the present £19 million a year they make in total from their deal with AIG, which began in 2006.
It was confirmed last month that negotiations had taken place with giant Indian corporation Sahara, while Saudi Telecom are also believed to be in the running.
Now AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes has confirmed he will meet United counterpart David Gill about the possibility of becoming the club's shirt sponsor, although he has hinted the current economic climate may impact on their budget.
"There is no doubt that this would be great for AirAsia," said Fernandes on his personal blog.
"I don't know what the entire package would amount to but I was just thrilled that we have reached a stage where Manchester United would actually think that we are a big enough brand to afford them and that they would want our brand on them.
"To be honest, I don't know what the entire package would amount to, as prices would have to come down. But it must be stated that all our branding commitments have always been about the impact to our bottom line."
AirAsia, which is already an official partner of United, was launched as a budget carrier in December 2001 with just two aircraft. It now flies more than 100 domestic and international routes across Asia, including to London.
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