The Manchester United takeover is imminent as the Glazers make a decision between Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’
- Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe are both vying for power at Old Trafford
- Ratcliffe’s offer would cover an approximately 60 percent stake in United
- But Sheikh Jassim offers full control of the Premier League giants instead
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar has come out on top in the race to buy Manchester United, according to reports in the country.
Mail Sport reported this weekend that both bidders in the battle for United – Sheikh Jassim and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe – were finalizing their bids ahead of an expected exclusivity decision later this week.
At one point, Ratcliffe’s Ineos company appeared to be leading the way, but those acting on Sheikh Jassim’s behalf are more optimistic about their chances following the dramatic submission of an improved bid last week.
And according to the Qatari newspaper Al-Watan, via The mirror — an outlet owned by his father and the country’s former prime minister, Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, — Sheikh Jassim has triumphed in his bidding war with Ratcliffe.
Al-Watan posted on Twitter on Monday night that Sheikh Jassim’s takeover bid has been a “success” and that an “announcement of the deal [will be] soon’.
Sheikh Jassim has reportedly come out on top in the race to buy Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe vied with Sheikh Jassim for the majority of the club at Old Trafford
United has been in the market since the Glazers (pictured) announced in November they were open to a possible takeover
Sheikh Jassim’s bid – believed to be worth around £5bn – is for total control of United, while Ratcliffe’s Ineos is around 60 per cent of the club.
His bid comes with a proposal that would allow United’s current unpopular owners, the Glazers, to stay for a period of time prior to a buyout.
But if Al-Watan’s claim holds up, Ratcliffe will have fallen short in his attempt to buy United, the club he has supported all his life.
United’s takeover saga is now coming to an end after seven months of speculation.
The Glazers first announced they were open to a sale in November, on the same night they confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo had left by mutual consent.