DAILY STAR
Manchester United’s takeover clash has taken a new twist with both Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe withdrawing their bids following a late deadline change.
Raine, a US banking firm overseeing the takeover on behalf of the Glazer family, had set a cut-off point of 9pm on Wednesday (March 22nd) for all interested parties to submit their second revised offers but the bidding period has been extended by 48 hours, amid confusion from some of the prospective buyers.
Sheikh Jassim, 63, had made an eye-watering £5bn offer to purchase the Red Devils, eclipsing the current world record paid for a sports team of £3.75bn forked out to purchase the Denver Broncos last June.
However, the Qatari banker has now withdrawn his bid and is planning a revised offer to be submitted before Friday’s extended deadline. Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a boyhood Man Utd fan born in Oldham, delayed his forthcoming £5bn bid in light of the announcement.
Raine have indicated there could be as many as eight interested parties by the time bidding closes but only Sir Jim and Sheikh Jassim have publicly stated their intention to bid. The duo were both given a full tour of Old Trafford ahead of Wednesday’s initial closing period with Sheikh Jassim given the VIP experience on Tuesday (March 16) before Inoes owner Ratcliffe the following day.
