Webdesk: Manchester United’s future is unknown as the third round of bidding for the club closes on Friday.
The league’s owners, the Glazers, seek a world record £6 billion ($7.3 billion) fee, which has yet to be met.
Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani will submit another proposal before the 10pm BST deadline. Amid fans’ concerns that the Glazers may extend their controversial ownership.
ESPN said that Qatar-backed Sheikh is optimistic about his campaign.
Qatari banker and INEOS frontman Jim Ratcliffe are leading the campaign to buy United.
When they originally welcomed external investment in November, the Glazers—unpopular with fans since they loaded the club with debt in a £790 million leveraged takeover in 2005. It appeared poised to cash out at a huge profit.
Elliot Investment Management and the Carlyle Group are seeking a minority interest to allow the Glazers to retain control. As well as fund club infrastructure improvements.
Avram and Joel Glazer want to keep their league interests, while Kevin, Bryan, Edward, and Darcie Glazer Kassewitz are willing to sell.
Last month’s second-round bids were estimated at £5 billion.
That would surpass the Premier League record of £2.5 billion paid for Chelsea last year by a consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital, with £1.75 billion promised in infrastructure and players.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) wants a quick resolution to get new owners in place for the summer transfer window.
We need fresh ownership and investment. MUST and United fans worldwide are pushing for this process to be completed immediately,” the fans’ association declared.
