Manchester United are busy working away in the transfer market looking ahead to next season but in the background the club's takeover saga continues to rumble on.
19.06.2023 - 21:31 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United's takeover saga continues to rumble on as this week with supporters still in the dark about where the ownership situation stands.
Last week appeared to be a good one on the surface of things for Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Qatari banker was reportedly set to receive exclusivity rights to put him on the verge of completing the takeover.
However, these reports were later dismissed as 'pure speculation'. It is thought the Sheikh is now ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe with some sources stating the Middle Eastern billionaire is growing in confidence about buying the club.
He may be confident now but in MEN Sport's latest takeover round-up, it appears Sheikh Jassim was close to leaving the race altogether.
According to a report by the Financial Times, Sheikh Jassim 'threatened to walk away' from the whole takeover process after tabling his fifth bid for United last week. His final offer is believed to have been made with a 'take-it-or-leave-it' approach, refusing to re-enter negotiations until a preferred bidder had been named.
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While he is now considered as the leading candidate to buy United, Sheikh Jassim has shown signs that he could be prepared to walk away if there continues to be a lack of progress in the sale.
Manchester United owners the Glazer family are currently faced with two credible bidders for the club.
On the one side is Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the head of multinational chemicals company INEOS. He is a self-proclaimed United supporter having grown-up in Failsworth.
His interest in buying a football club has been well documented. Ratcliffe previously failed in a bid to buy Chelsea when it was put up for sale by Roman Abramovich.
Manchester United are busy working away in the transfer market looking ahead to next season but in the background the club's takeover saga continues to rumble on.
INEOS founder and Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe has admitted negotiating with all of the Glazer siblings during the Manchester United takeover is difficult in extracts leaked from a new book.
Ex-United forward says takeover won't solve everything
Manchester United fans have been warned both prospective new owners will bring moral baggage to the table should either conclude a deal for the club.
Here are your Manchester United morning headlines for Wednesday, June 28.
June 30 2023 marks the end of the contract of David de Gea. A bigger Manchester United-related story is brewing on that date than De Gea's future.
Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has called on the Glazers to decide on their preferred takeover bidder before the start of the 2023/24 season.
It's been more than seven months since Manchester United owners the Glazers announced plans to 'explore strategic alternatives' for investment, paving the way for a protracted takeover process which still seems some way from completion.
Manchester United fans have hijacked an Instagram post of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani with his family amid the ongoing takeover saga.
The Glazers are still mulling over how the Manchester United takeover process will conclude with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe awaiting a response.
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has urged the Glazers to make a quick decision on the takeover after admitting Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's bid was 'exciting'.
Manchester United's protracted takeover continues to rumble on and has reached its eighth month following the Glazers' announcement to "explore strategic alternatives for the club" back in November.
The Manchester United takeover saga continues to rumble on with seemingly no end in sight.
Tomorrow marks exactly seven months to the day since the Glazer family put Manchester United up for sale and we are still no closer to reaching an outcome.
Manchester United could be used as an exercise in sportswashing should Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani take over the club, according to a leading academic expert.
Manchester United midfielder Fred may feel uneasy at the prospect of Sir Jim Ratcliffe becoming the club's next owner.
It is almost seven months since the Glazer family announced plans to either sell Manchester United or welcome fresh investment. The saga remains ongoing and supporters' patience is beginning to wear increasingly thin.
Manchester United's takeover process is reportedly nearing its conclusion as Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe battle it out for ownership of the club.
Brendan Rodgers has already warned Manchester United they could become Sheikh Jassim's "plaything" should his takeover bid for the club should prove successful.
Manchester United's takeover saga continues to be shrouded in confusion following claims Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani has been granted exclusivity in the negotiations to take over.