A new ‘take it or leave it’ offer has been submitted for Manchester United by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
According to The Mail, Sheikh Jassim has presented a new final offer for Manchester United.
The new bid is still claimed to be below Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s valuation of the club, while The Mail describe the offer as ‘extraordinary’ in reference to the dramatic late timing of the bid.
It is claimed to be ‘significantly improved’ on his third offer for United, which was expected to be the final one.
READ MORE: Manchester United transfer history 2013 to present day
Sheikh Jassim new offer
No decision has yet been communicated by The Raine Group on behalf of the Glazers over a preferred bidder.
Last week The Sun and The Times reported Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in the driving seat. But this late development could cause a re-think.
The new report from The Mail says ‘it remains to be seen’ if Ratcliffe will respond with a new offer, or if he will remain confident with his existing offer.
The Glazers have remained typically tight-lipped on the process. Their only communication on the sale was back in November when they first invited investment.
Manchester United supporters are hoping a sale will be concluded as swiftly as possible, but it already feels like we are into extra-time.
The hope at the start of 2023 was that the process would have a clear direction by the end of the first quarter of the year, with new owners in charge for the summer transfer window.
Initial timeframe estimates have already overrun, with a decision awaited. This new offer could push the timeline back further, with Raine to assess the bid. For now, it seems at least that for those who want the Qatari bid, there is hope.