The story of Manchester United 's prospective takeover has taken yet another twist, with giant American investor Carlyle named as "serious" bidders.
Earlier this week, owners the Glazer family - who put United on the market last November - launched a surprise third round of bidding in an effort to see their £6billion asking price met or gain minority investment. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani remain the frontrunners to buy United outright after launching two previous offers and holding in-depth talks with club officials.
Now, though, Carlyle are said to be in the ring, with the next deadline for offers set for April 28. The investment group boasts assets of more than $370billion (£298bn), ranking them among the world's largest private equity firms.
Sky News claim that Carlyle, who declined to comment on the report, is among a handful of parties which have pitched proposals to acquire a minority stake at Old Trafford as opposed to a full takeover, an outcome fans are demanding. In the UK, Carlyle has owned companies such as the RAC breakdown recovery service, and Addison Lee, the taxi-hire group.
A source close to the situation reportedly described Carlyle's interest in the club as "serious", adding that it'd been engaged in discussions for some time. The Glazers would be open to selling a minority of their 69 per cent stake, with US merchant bank Raine overseeing the process and setting a fresh deadline for Friday, April 28.
Having held control over Old Trafford since their 2005 acquisition for less than £800million through a controversial leveraged buyout, the much-maligned American family appear to be standing firm on their asking price. Bidders such as Ratcliffe and Al Thani are yet to go as high with their offers but this month have another opportunity.
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The Glazers' strategy to launch a third round of bidding has angered one prospective owner, Finnish billionaire Thomas Zilliacus, so much that he confirmed earlier this week he wouldn't be entering the next stage but remains open to striking a deal. Speaking about his proposal to BBC Sport, Zilliacus declared: "My earlier offer still stands and I am willing to pay a premium above what I offered.
"I'm not going to be participating in a third round because I find it highly unprofessional. I see no reason whatsoever why a third round is basically starting the whole thing from scratch.
"It seems odd to me that, if there is a genuine will to sell and you have three serious bidders, why you don't sit down with the bidders, discuss and negotiate and hopefully come to a number that everyone can agree."
There are lingering concerns at Old Trafford that a sale could drag on until the summer and affect the club's first-team plans ahead of the summer transfer window.
