Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is expected to submit his second bid to buy Manchester United on Wednesday evening amid growing confidence that the Glazer family will sell the club.
The Qatari banker sent a delegation to meet United executives last week and held talks for up to 10 hours around a potential takeover. The other principal suitor, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is also set to lodge a second offer in the coming days as concerns around the Glazers remaining at Old Trafford ease slightly, with Sky Sports reporting that the rival bidders share the same confidence over a full sale.
The incumbent American owners, who have been unpopular with supporters since taking over in 2005, have an asking price of £6billion that is way over the club’s actual value, according to expert evaluations. Last season, Chelsea were sold for a record £4.25n to an American consortium led by Todd Boehly.
Ratcliffe met United chiefs, including Erik ten Hag, personally last Friday having flown in from the south of France. The boss of petrochemical giant INEOS is a lifelong supporter of the club and already has experience of owning a team in Ligue 1 side Nice.
His delegation included Sir Dave Brailsford, the former head of the cycling team Ratcliffe owns and INEOS’ director of sport.
New Wales captain Aaron Ramsey plays for Nice and was asked about Ratcliffe on Monday morning. “The owner is very passionate and very invested in Nice and wants to take Nice all the way up to the top,” Ramsey said. “It's a great project to be a part of. It just feels like a family-orientated club.”
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According to sources in Sheikh Jassim’s camp, his absence from last week’s meeting should not be viewed as him being less committed to the purchase. Yet a takeover from any Qatari is likely to be met with severe criticism from human rights groups and some supporters who believe a takeover by Gulf state would turn the club into a sportswashing vehicle.
Amnesty International has said Sheikh Jassim's bid should "serve as a wake up call" to the Premier League around state-linked ownership of clubs. The Sheikh's father is the state's former prime minister.
70-year-old Ratcliffe, meanwhile, has previously been accused of attempted greenwashing when it comes to INEOS’ investments in football, cycling and other sporting endeavours.
While they are the only two parties who have gone public with their desire for a complete takeover, Elliott Sports Management is expected to produce a second offer that would see it invest in the club without taking over. The firm previously owned AC Milan before selling to RedBird last year for €1.2bn (£1.05bn).
