Manchester United have reportedly told prospective buyers of the club to formalise bids by mid-February amid interest from the Middle East, Asia and America.
The Glazer family, who bought United for £790million back in 2005, put the Old Trafford club on the market in November. Mirror Football understands the family is looking for as much as £8billion to sell - a fee that eclipses the £4.2bn Todd Boehly paid for Chelsea.
Britain's richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe could make an offer after he previously received calls from the club's fanbase and ex-United director Michael Knighton to get involved in a takeover, but he poured cold water on the suggestion earlier this year.
However, according to the Telegraph, Ratcliffe is said to be monitoring the situation closely and those in power at Old Trafford anticipate that he will make a bid, even if he has not yet had formal talks over a potential takeover.
Ratcliffe supports the Red Devils – despite being a season ticket holder at Chelsea – and he has been named by Forbes as Britain's richest man. The 70-year-old has built up an estimated £20billion net worth thanks to his multi-national chemicals company Ineos.
Ratcliffe will face major competition to buy United, as the club has received serious interest from the Middle East, Asia and America.
It is reported that some parties who expressed interest in buying Chelsea last year will return with improved offers. There is likely to be a huge level of interest in buying United - who many view as the world's biggest football club.
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Last month, it emerged that the Glazer family did not take dividend payments from United for the first time in six years, partly due to the club's huge transfer spend this summer. Any major decisions on its future, including permanent transfers, will be held up until the future is clarified.
United's timescale of inviting offers by mid-February would allow them to stick to their ambitions of attempting to complete the sale of the club before the end of the current campaign, which would give any new ownership a settling-in period ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The Glazers have hired the Raine Group to act as the Red Devils' exclusive financial advisor and try to find interested parties. Last month, Avram Glazer used his trip to watch the World Cup in Qatar to hold talks with potential investors in United.
