TheManchester Unitedbidders are “on the brink” but the process to buy the club remains “uncertain” as the Glazers continue to drag their feet.
United have been up for sale since November but despite ongoing interest from Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a preferred bidder is yet to be named.
It has been consistently ɾєρօɾτed in recent weeks thatRatcliffe is more likely than Sheikh Jassim to become Man Utd’s new majority stakeholder, with the British billionaire willing to keep the Glazers on board with a reduced stake of around 20%.
Sheikh Jassim submitted his fifth and final offer to the Glazer family last week and is ɾєρօɾτedly”fed up” with the process.
Both bidders are “on the brink” according to Ben Jacobs, with much of the “due dilegence” already done as if they had already been named the preferred bidder.
Speaking toGIVEMESPORT, Jacobs said: “Each has been forced to do a lot of very advanced work in terms of due diligence, and logistics, which would commonly be associated with a preferred bidder in an exclusive period.
“But we have two groups doing them, so two groups are being put on the brink of almost being ready to acquireManchester Unitedfootball club without actually knowing yet whether or not they’ll be successful. And that’s why the process has been so uncertain.”
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has denied he has anything to do with the takeover of United.
Al-Khelaifi was contacted by the Glazer family a month ago as United’s owners tried to get Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to raise his offer.
The conversation with Al-Khelaifi has led to suggestions of a wider Qatari involvement in Sheikh Jassim’s bid.
Sheikh Jassim has repeatedly said his offer was made in a personal capacity, and speaking in Istanbul before the Champions League final after a meeting of the influential European Clubs’ Association (ECA) he chairs, Al-Khelaifi said he has done nothing unusual and his involvement is solely withPSG.
“Paris St-Germain is my club, in my heart, and I have nothing to do withManchester United,” he said.
“It makes me laugh. I am Qatari, right? If people ask me my opinion, I will answer them for sure – and that’s what they do.
“I am talking about anyone, not justManchester United. I will give them the experience that I have. That’s it.”
