11 June 2023 , 15:46
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A decision is expected on Manchester United's preferred bidder in the coming days with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani believing he is back in the hunt.
The Qatari banker had been rivalling INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with the British billionaire thought to be leading the race to buy the Premier League giants, in part due to the composition of his offer. Sheikh Jassim had tabled a final take it or leave it offer late last week and was ready to walk away from the process.
However it appears those from the Middle East are very much still in the game and believe they could yet win the race. The Daily Mail understands that the two parties will find out in the coming days whether or not they are the Glazer's preferred bidder.
The Qataris feel that the outcome is likely to rest on whether or not the Glazers do actually want to sell up or remain at the club in some capacity. They have been at the helm since their leveraged buyout in 2005 and have withstood huge fan anger whilst seeing debts mount up.
Ratcliffe's bid is for roughly 60 percent of the club and would allow members of the Glazer family to remain for a period of time before a sourced buyout. His offer is also thought to value the club slightly higher.
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Sheikh Jassim meanwhile wants total control of the Premier League club and his bid is around the £5bn mark and comes with the promise of a further £1bn investment in the club's infrastructure - which has been allowed to rot under the Glazers with Old Trafford seen as second rate.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani's improved bid has greatly enhance his chances of buying Man UtdThe takeover process, which began last year, has dragged on and dominated headlines in a way that, some feel, has had an adverse effect. There are concerns that the Glazers are looking to maximise their profits and could yet stay despite the lengthy saga.
Erik ten Hag's summer business is being conducted amid the backdrop of uncertainty up above. A new owner could yet provide further funds to bring in new players with the Glazers unwilling to invest huge sums, which stifled their manager in the January transfer market.
At the end of the season the Dutchman said: "The club knows that if you want to play top four, if you want to compete for trophies in this tough league, you have to invest, otherwise you won't progress because other clubs will. We saw it in the winter. All the clubs around us invested. We didn't and still, we made it. So I am really happy and proud of my team."