A potential takeover of Man Utd is no closer as revised bids for the Premier League club are still below the Glazer family’s valuation, according to reports.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have both reportedly submitted new world-record bids of around £5billion for the club after a second round of bids were lodged by interested parties last week.
The first round of bidding took place last month and it has been reported there are as many as eight separate potential investors.
No figures have been revealed, but one or more of the initial bids were reportedly in the region of £4.5billion.
The Glazers acquired the club for £750million in a highly-leveraged deal in 2005. After a controversial reign, they announced they were seeking “strategic alternatives” that could include a sale last year.
Ratcliffe, who made an unsuccessful bid to buy Chelsea in 2022 and already owns French club Nice, visited Old Trafford last week.
The 70-year-old was born in the Manchester area and is a boyhood United fan. He is one of the richest people in Britain with an estimated personal fortune of £6bn.
Sheikh Jassim has said his interest is a private initiative through his Nine Two Foundation and is not connected to the Qatari state.
His representatives also visited Old Trafford last week for talks, which were understood to be positive and constructive.
Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus confirmed earlier this week that he has also submitted an offer but now ESPN claims sources have told them that ‘revised bids to buy Manchester United will fall short of the Glazer family’s valuation although there is still hope a buyout can happen’.
All the bids ‘remain below the asking price of around £6bn – although there is hope that the Glazers might still accept a compromise fee to allow a takeover at Old Trafford’.
The report adds:
‘After the latest round of offers, bidders are waiting to hear from Raine Group, the US bank working with the Glazers, on what the next stage of the process will look like. Raine could invite a third round of offers or name a preferred bidder.
‘United staff have been told to expect “clarity” on the ownership situation by the end of the season.
‘Sources have told ESPN that it’s still “business as usual” although there is an acceptance that contract extensions for key players — including Marcus Rashford — and the summer transfer window will be impacted by whoever is in charge.’
And talkSPORT…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…