Bloomberg are reporting that Sheikh Jassim’s Qatari camp are ‘increasingly confident’ that they have fought off competition from Sir Jim Ratcliffe to take over Premier League giants Manchester United.
At this stage, we are crossing our fingers, our legs, even our eyes for a resolution to this ongoing saga.
Is a protracted takeover which has rumbled on for for well over half a year finally coming to an end? Is that a light we see at the end of the tunnel? Or merely a mirage in the Manchester United desert?
As ever, these are questions only time can answer. What we do know, however, is that an increasing number of high-profile financial publications appear to be leaning rather heavily in favour of Qatari bidder Sheikh Jassim.
After Reuters and Benzinga suggested that Jassim’s camp were in pole position to agree a deal with those soul-sucking dementors we commonly refer to as the ‘Glazer Family’, Bloomberg are now reporting that the Qatari’s are ‘increasingly confident’ of takeover success.
Those apparently within Jassim’s inner circle reportedly now believe it is only a matter of time before the Glazers agree to accept their proposal, the Qatari’s having submitted a fifth – and reportedly ‘final’ bid – for arguably world football’s most iconic club at the start of June (BBC).
Manchester United takeover race heating up
Of course, given that this is a saga which has had more twists and turns than the teacup ride at Alton Towers, few would be surprised if things changed again over the next 24 hours.
Many British-based football-specialist sources – such as The Times – insisted a fortnight ago, shortly after that Reuters report sent United’s share price rocketing, that Ratcliffe was still in the lead.
Jassim is offering to purchase Manchester United in it’s entirety. Ratcliffe, however, wants majority control, and is willing to keep at least some of the Glazers – probably Joel and Avram – on in a shareholder capacity for a couple more seasons.
As the United Muppetiers YouTube channel brilliantly outlines, however, disagreements between the various Glazer siblings are making Ratcliffe’s offer difficult to accept.
Less Succession, more confusion, disruption, depression.
But hopefully, this latest Bloomberg report suggests an end to the process is on the way.
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