Manchester United supporters have been frustrated about the lack of progress regarding a club takeover but reports suggest it may be coming towards its conclusion.
At the beginning of the week, it was suggested Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani was closing in on completing a deal. However, sources close to his camp claimed this was 'pure speculation'.
Despite this, share prices have risen at United throughout the week and there is more hope regarding the Glazers finally entering a period of exclusivity with a preferred bidder. As the saga rumbles on, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest takeover headlines on Wednesday evening.
Ratcliffe outlines his debt plan
According to the Daily Mail, while Ratcliffe's offer is for around 60 per cent of the club, Sheikh Jassim's is for full control. It also comes with the promise that the ugly stain of debt – landed on the club following the Glazer's leveraged buyout all those years ago – would be wiped clean.
ALSO READ: What Xavi said about Sheikh Jassim
While symbolically that would be significant, it would also have an immediate effect on the amount Ten Hag can spend. At the last count the debt stood at £535.7m. Interest payments have to go on the books. Ratcliffe's people have been keen to point out that they will not put any additional debt on the club should they succeed. The picture with the existing figure is unclear.
Former bidder opens up on takeover process
Both Sir Jim and Sheikh Jassim have tabled several further revised bids since. One other bidder who initially went public was Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus.
He entered the process in March through investment company XXI Century Capital after a deadline for second bids was granted. He told the Manchester Evening News at the time that his bid was in the same ballpark as Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim’s offers, which were then rumoured to be around £4.5bn.
Speaking to MEN Sport this week, Zilliacus said he believes the Raine Group is overseeing the process from its New York office rather than its London location. He said: “It was the New York office [we contacted], we did not speak to the London office at all.
“I would think so [the process is happening in New York], with the Glazers being based in the US. I would assume they contacted Raine in the US to start with.
“That was the office I felt made sense to contact - and it was the right one [because] they did confirm ‘we are handling [his bid] and we will discuss internally and get back to you’.”
Read more from Zilliacus here.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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