A second deadline for new takeover bids is set to pass at Manchester United on Wednesday night.
Numerous bids are expected with as many as eight interested parties involved, pledging majority and minority investment.
The Telegraph report Qatari investor Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is ‘very confident’ he will be successful.
Sheikh Jassim is able to finance a deal without being reliant on lending, and will not be dependent on the current instability in the banking sectors in the US.
The Qatari investors’ representatives were said to have come away in ‘high spirits’ after spending 10 hours at Old Trafford last week.
He intends to invest heavily in the men’s and women’s teams, and infrastructure at Old Trafford and Carrington, which could mean £2 billion on top of a purchase price of at least £5 billion.
The price of Manchester United
The record sale for a sports team was struck when NFL team the Denver Broncos sold for £3.8 billion last year.
The Telegraph report the price of Manchester United will ‘obliterate records’ with £5 billion required to tempt the Glazers into a sale.
The Times also reports world record bids are anticipated, noting that Sheikh Jassim hopes to acquire 100 per cent of Manchester United, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s Ineos want only the Glazers’ 69 per cent stake.
Investment firm Elliott Management is also offering to partner with other bidders, while it is feared they could prop up the Glazers.
The Mail report Manchester United are hoping a sale can be completed before the summer transfer window opens.
What happens next
It is claimed by The Mail that bidders will hear back in around a week’s time. It is possible a third round of bidding could draw out the process.
At this point, we should expect the Glazers to draw it out, in an attempt to get a price closer to £6 billion if they can, to try and get every penny they can.
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