The cyber attack affecting Manchester United has reportedly resulted in highly-sensitive information - including the club's transfer plans - being stolen.
According to the Daily Star, hackers have seized information about the identities of United's immediate and long-term transfer targets, as well as confidential reports and analysis of those players.
The perpetrators are said to be demanding a massive ransom payment in bitcoin and, if their demands are not met, they may release the information they have seized and continue to deny the club access to their own data.
Confirming the cyber attack last week, the club said in a statement: "Following the recent cyber attack on the club, our IT team and external experts secured our networks and have conducted forensic investigations.
"This attack was by nature disruptive, but we are not currently aware of any fan data being compromised.
"Critical systems required for matches to take place at Old Trafford remained secure and games have gone ahead as normal.
"The club will not be commenting on speculation regarding who may have been responsible for this attack or the motives behind it."
United are currently eighth in the Premier League table, five points off the top with a game in hand.
