Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani ‘remains confident’ that his bid to wrestle control of Premier League giants Manchester United from the Glazer family will be successful as the Friday cut-off looms, ESPN report.
It’s deadline day at Old Trafford, but not as we know it.
There will be no new signings wearing Manchester United red next week. But there might just be some new faces in the boardroom. On a landmark day in the history of one of European football’s most storied sporting institutions, ESPN believe that Sheikh Jassim is still ‘confident’ of fighting off competition from Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the Qatar-backed billionaire looks to take one giant step towards ownership of Manchester United.
Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe head-to-head for Manchester United
Ratcliffe, a self-styled Man United supporter, is reportedly offering a deal that would see two of the Glazers keep a stake in the club; Avram and Joel understood to be those most keen to stick around.
While most supporters would prefer a clean break, the Glazers would no longer be in a position to call the shots at Old Trafford in the event of a Ratcliffe takeover, even if they would still stand to benefit from the club’s financial success, as outlined brilliantly by the United Muppetiers YouTube channel.
Sheikh Jassim, in contrast, wants 100 per cent ownership. As far as he is concerned, this town ain’t big enough for both he and the Glazer siblings. Ahead of tonight’s 10pm deadline, Sheikh Jassim will make a third bid. One that will presumably come closer to matching the Glazer’s £6 billion asking price.
The ESPN’s claims are backed up by The Guardian.
They add that the Glazers, with the help of the Raine Group, could settle on a ‘preferred bidder’ next week. Potentially ramping up negotiations as United look to settle this long-standing issue before kick-starting their summer transfer plans.
As the United Muppetiers explain, deals for the likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Alexis MacAllister are being held up by the uncertainty surrounding just who will be calling the shots in Manchester come the summer. A distraction Erik ten Hag could do without.
Offers may also be forthcoming from minority investors Elliott Management, Ares Management Corporation, Sixth Street and Carlyle.
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