Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani made a fifth bid to buy Manchester United earlier this week, according to a source close to the Qatari banker.
Sheikh Jassim, who comes through his Nine Two Foundation, has made a new offer to buy the club directly from current owners The Glazer family.
The offer was made with the Glazers and US investment bank Raine Group, who were managing the potential sale process throughout.
Sheikh Jassim’s offer is the only offer for the club that would allow them to take 100% ownership of the club and they have set themselves a deadline of Friday to hear from United if it is successful or not.
The current favorite to take control of the club is Sir Jim Ratcliffe through his Ineos Group – which would see current co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer remain on the board. Ratcliffe’s offer, although not for full control, values the club higher than Sheikh Jassim – who has placed a £6 billion price tag on the club.
The Glazers, who initially announced last November that they were considering selling the club and/or seeking investment, have yet to confirm whether a preferred bidder is in the process.
The original trial date was April 28 – but no decision has yet been made, but Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is seen by many as the front-runner, even in light of Sheikh Jassim’s new bid.
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