The concept of the Glazer family not selling off Manchester United football club in full is not dead yet. While it doesn’t look likely that the Glazers will leave, there is still a chance that they will be replaced as primary owners. It’s up to Sheikh Jassim and his group.
The Qatari banker has long been considered the front-runner, ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and he’s still moving forward with another improved bid.
Understand that Sheikh Jassim’s final offer is again improved from his second bid and is expected to go in shortly before the 10pm UK deadline. Those close to the Nine Two Foundation have always indicated they won’t “bid recklessly”. But I am told the final offer has been upped. pic.twitter.com/DwHY9qSrq2
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 28, 2023
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That is a tweet from a CBS Sports Golazo reporter, and indicates just how serious the Qatari led group truly is on acquiring United. Sheikh Jassim is reportedly feeling confident about his bid, and his offering remains the most likely bid to succeed, should a full sale actually take place.
And according to the Daily Mail, the next bid will break the £5 billion barrier, and thus surpass the world record for a sports franchise that was agreed upon of £4.77bn for the Washington Commanders.
Manchester United sale latest
?Improved bid from Sheikh Jassim to land tonight
??Will break £5bn barrier
?Would beat £4.77bn agreed for Washington Commanders
??Won’t get near £6bn
?Sir Jim Ratcliffe offer also to land ahead of final deadline
??https://t.co/se9LvjxJGB #mufc— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) April 28, 2023
However, the bid won’t get as high as £6bn, and that may be what the Glazers are holding out for. According to The Guardian, Sheikh Jassim will fall short of the Glazers’ valuation. But again we’ll see.
The MUFC Takeover narrative has seen so many plot twists and turns already.
Expect at least couple more before all is said and done.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.