Reports from Nice in France suggest that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has suffered a knock in confidence over his bid for Manchester United.
The Englishman was believed to be the preferred bidder for some time, however, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s latest offer may have blown him out of the race.
An update from Nice-Matin was transcribed by SolamenNissa on Twitter, saying: “INEOS suffered a loss of confidence in the takeover of Manchester United.”
Last week, speculation quickly circulated over the Glazer family considering granting Sheikh Jassim exclusivity in the sale process, which would largely point towards him being the winner.
Whilst these reports were downplayed by British media, it may hint towards the Americans’ preference.
The offers on the table
Ratcliffe is bidding for majority ownership of United and his proposal would see the Glazer siblings retain their stakes for a few years before he buys them out completely. He is said to value the club higher than the Qataris.
On the other hand, Sheikh Jassim is looking to complete a full, debt-free takeover of the 20-time English champions. His latest mega-money bid came earlier in June as he aims to swing the race in his favour.
Another close-season, more wait-and-see for we Reds.
Rivals already signed players / agreed deals to strengthen their squads: United just talking. Linked with loads, but only business done so far is to let a few go. The endless greed of of the Glazers is stifling our ambition yet again.
Two bidders: it doesn’t take a genius to work out which is the better OUT OF TWO! The Ahsouls are clearly hoping for more and more bids and don’t give floody buck about next season.
Too Troody Blue.
You echo the concerns of millions of like minded fans.
we also need a change of player recruitment for people who are specialists in the job and stop this obsession of going for players who’ve knocked us back like De Jong and linked with another Griezmann and have difficult agents like Rabiot’s mum we got stung like that by Pogba’s now deceased agent and players like Mount with Chelsea now having sold some players can hold out for a higher price for him while we sell a youth player for 1 million euros and quote 2 million for Bailly