MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 11:21:47| >> :120:7509:7509:

Sheikh Jassim 'expected to be named preferred Manchester United bidder'

Sheikh Jassim 'expected to be named preferred Man United bidder'
© Reuters
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani moves into pole position to complete a takeover of Manchester United, according to a report.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has reportedly moved into pole position to complete a takeover of Manchester United, with the club in talks over granting exclusivity to the Qatari banker.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also been firmly in the running to purchase the Red Devils, and as recently as last week, the British billionaire was thought to be the favourite to win the race.

However, recent developments have allegedly placed Sheikh Jassim in the driving seat, with the Qatari believed to have made a new offer for the 20-time English champions last week.

According to Reuters, the Qatari is now expected to be named the preferred bidder, with Man United in talks with his consortium over an exclusivity deal.

The report claims that the Glazer family would end their association with the Red Devils under the terms of the agreement, which is not expected to have been the case in Ratcliffe's proposed deal.

Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer in the stands before the match on May 14, 2023© Reuters

During the proposed exclusivity period, Man United would not be able to enter into any discussions with another party, which would put Sheikh Jassim in pole position to complete a takeover.

The Qatari banker wants a 100% purchase, while he has also reportedly made it clear that he is prepared to make significant funds available to improve Old Trafford and the training ground.

Former Man United captain Rio Ferdinand has also claimed on his official FIVE YouTube channel that a Qatari takeover is now close to going through.

"The Man United takeover is imminent. We are hearing the Qatari bid is the one that has been accepted, the one that is imminent and the one that is going to go through. Hallelujah, man. I cannot wait. Please let this happen," said Ferdinand on Thursday.

General view inside Old Trafford before the match on January 10, 2022© Reuters

"Look how long this has gone on for. The Glazers have dug their heels in. It will go to the biggest bidder which is normal in negotiations but I want this to be resolved before the transfer window kicks in and now it is opening and starting to move.

"I have woken up every day hoping that every day there will be a bid accepted. We are hearing that it is close. It will happen in a matter of days, if not a matter of hours.

"If it does not, we do not know how much money we have to spend and United will be playing catch up. So fingers crossed this information is really true – I have it from a good source that it is true."

A recent report claimed that Sheikh Jassim's first target this summer would be Kylian Mbappe, who could potentially be available for transfer, having told Paris Saint-Germain that he will not be signing an extension to his current deal.

The total cost of the deal to buy Man United could reach £6bn, which is allegedly the figure that the Glazer family have always been working towards since signalling a willingness to sell last November.

ID:516367:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5257:
Written by
Matt Law

Manchester United takeover - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring on April 21, 2023
Read Next:
Man United 'to move for Mbappe if Sheikh Jassim completes takeover'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!