Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says it might only be a "matter of hours" before Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim is announced as the club's next owner.
The Sheikh has been locked in what is widely believed to be a two-horse race to take over at Old Trafford with Failsworth-born billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of the INEOS petrochemical company, although the Glazers could still end up remaining at the helm with investment from a number of US groups another potential option. With the process having dragged on for seven months now, fans have been craving an update with Erik ten Hag hoping to make moves in the transfer window to help build upon an encouraging first season at the club.
Five rounds of bidding have now taken place, with Sheikh Jassim's self-imposed deadline passing last week. He is now no longer expected to actively engage in discussions with the Glazers and Raine Group, which is handling the sale, as he believes they have had ample time to seek clarification and revision of the offer.
And Ferdinand has now said he has been given reason to believe Sheikh Jassim's takeover will go through "imminently".
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"The Man United takeover is imminent," Ferdinand said on YouTube. "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.
"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."
He added: "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."
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