Will the world record £5 billion deal to 'take over' MU be finalized today?

Up to this point, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Qatari owners are leading the shortlist of top candidates who can "take over" MU from the Glazer family with offers that are too hard to refuse.

MU's "upper echelons" are still considering proposals to bid for the entirety or invest in part of the club, as well as waiting for 6 other bids expected to be "finalized" at 9pm today (local time).

Will the world record £5 billion deal to “take over” MU be finalized today? Photo: Shutterstock

The bid from the Qatari candidate, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, is considered by the British press to be the most “attractive” to the Glazers, however, billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also promoting negotiations to raise the price to convince the American owners of MU. Accordingly, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is mobilizing capital from other interested bidders to join forces to “take over” the Red Devils of Manchester.

The initial bid for United, submitted last month, is believed to be worth around £4.5bn, significantly lower than a second bid that could reach £5bn. It would surpass the record for a sports franchise sale – £3.71bn, paid to the NFL's Denver Broncos last year.

Will billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani take over MU? Photo: PA

All options, from a complete transfer of MU to a partial investment, are still on the negotiating table and are being carefully considered by the Glazers. However, the English team's "upper echelons" are said to be hesitant in making a decision because they want a figure of up to 6 billion pounds for this deal.

However, due to the firmness of billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe as well as investors from Qatar who affirmed that they would not buy MU at an "astronomical" price even though they were lifelong fans and loved the team very much, the Glazers had to "lower the price" with the hope of completing the transfer of the club before the summer transfer window opened.

The Glazers are "choosing money, sending gold" in the world record transfer deal for MU. Photo: Getty

Last week, a delegation led by Sheikh Jassim visited Old Trafford and Carrington to tour, make presentations and push the deal. The talks lasted more than 10 hours and were described by insiders as cordial and positive. Although the visit to United by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team was shorter by around three hours, it is said to have made a good impression.

Manchester United fans hung banners demanding the Glazers hand over the club to new owners in the stands of Old Trafford during the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham at the weekend. Photo: Reuters

Sheikh Jassim's bid includes acquiring all of MU's shares, with a promise to clear all of the club's debts. Meanwhile, billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to convince the Glazers to buy 69% of MU's shares owned by the American owners. This figure could change if Sir Jim Ratcliffe can convince other investors to join him in this billion-dollar deal./.

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