Manchester United will this week play host to the two parties bidding to become the new owners of the club. Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group confirmed their bids for United following the Glazer family announced their intention to sell last year.
The next stage of the process will begin this week, with Ratcliffe and his team and representatives of Qatar's Sheikh Jassim attending face-to-face meetings at Old Trafford tomorrow and Friday.
The meetings are expected to give both parties the chance to look in more detail at United's finances and future plans.
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Presentations are being made to prospective bidders on behalf of the club, and it is reported that the focus of these meetings will be to explain why the Glazers' valuation is what it is (claims range between £5 billion and £6 billion). United's global fanbase, compared to Chelsea and Liverpool, is apparently being particularly highlighted.
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani has reportedly sought the assistance of Bank of America to determine a final valuation for United, according to the Sun, and it's thought representatives from the bank will be among the party joining the Old Trafford meeting on Thursday. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team are set to hold their meeting on Friday, following the Europa League tie involving his other club Nice on Thursday evening.
Elliott Investment Management have already been at Old Trafford and are a financing option for other bidders, and the Sun also report that another three hedge funds, as well as Elliott, are interested in financing a takeover. Ares Management, Oaktree and MSD Partners, who assisted in a takeover at Burnley and have previously loaned Derby County money, are the ones named.
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