Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani is growing increasingly anxious over his bid to buy Manchester United as the silence from the Glazer family continues.
On Tuesday, the saga seemed to be finally nearing a conclusion, with Qatari outlet Al Raya reporting that the the protracted takeover process was due to be completed "in a matter of hours." Suggesting the purchase contracts were to be signed by the Glazers imminently, fans waited with baited breath for confirmation.
But despite Sheikh Jassim's camp being confident they had beaten Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the bidding war, no announcement has been forthcoming. Is it now 225 days since the American family first announced their intention to sell up.
According to a report in the Guardian, Sheikh Jassim now has doubts over whether the Glazers will sell the club. His fifth and final bid, which was in the region of £6 billion, is yet to receive any kind of formal response.
The Qatari banker initially issued a deadline after making his take-it-or-leave-it offer, with his team said to be getting increasingly irate at the prolonged saga. But he promptly backtracked on that stance, despite not receiving communication from the Raine Group, the US bank that is handling any sale.
Sheikh Jassim is seeking 100 percent control of the club, a notion which makes him the favoured option among United fans. Ineos boss Ratcliffe meanwhile, has included a controversial caveat that would see brothers Malcolm and Joel Glazer retain a minority share in the club.
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Tensions boiled over this month with the release of United's new shirt for the 2023/24 campaign. Masses of fans gathered outside the Old Trafford club shop, temporarily forcing it staff members to close the doors, to protest about the Glazer's conduct and the uncertainty engulfing the club.
Manager Erik ten Hag has been left to get on with his work in the summer transfer market regardless, despite not knowing what exact funds he has available to him. Mason Mount has signed from Chelsea from £60 million, but getting further players through the door has not proved straightforward.
The Dutch boss is unlikely therefore, to get his wish of completing his business before his side's first pre-season game. The Red Devils take on Leeds in Oslo on July 12, before playing Lyon at Murrayfield seven days later.
