An exclusive buyer for Manchester United will be named by The Raine Group this week, according to reports.
The Mail and The Times both report Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim expect to hear imminently whether their bids have been successful.
Ratcliffe’s Ineos were reported to be leading the race, however, Jassim’s latest and fifth bid has provided a ‘breakthrough’ in talks, claim The Mail.
The final deadline for the takeover process was in late April, with the Glazers dragging the process out.
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Manchester United takeover decision
We aren’t getting too carried away with these claims. A decision keeps on getting pushed back further.
Now approaching mid-June, there was an expectation at the start of the year that the takeover would be concluded at this point.
The Times report that lawyers for both parties are continuing to work on the finer details of their respective bids.
The two bids are structured differently, with Sheikh Jassim proposing an immediate buyout of the Glazers, while Ratcliffe would reduce their stakes to a minority, and buy them out fully by 2026.
The decision may simply come down to whether the Glazers are ready to part ways entirely, or want to stay involved in some stage in the short term.
The Times report the value of the takeover is set to be around £6 billion.
Both reports claim Sheikh Jassim believed he had lost the race but is now confident he has made a breakthrough and has an equal chance to be named exclusive bidder.
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