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The Glazers have finally decided to sell Manchester United to Sheikh Jassim amid fear of a fan ‘backlash’, according to reports.
Man United’s owners, the Glazer family, have been weighing up offers for the club from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of chemicals firm Ineos.
The Glazers first indicated they could sell by initiating a strategic review last November but the bidding process has dragged on.
Reports at the end of June suggested Sheikh Jassim’s bid – which is for 100 per cent of the club – was the most likely to be accepted after supporters staged fresh protests against the Glazers at Old Trafford.
And now The Sun claim that Sheikh Jassim has won the race to take over Man Utd with the Qatari ‘set to complete his full £6billion takeover of Manchester United by mid-October’.
Sheikh Jassim has ‘fought off’ competition from Ratcliffe despite the British billionaire’s willingness to allow the Glazers to retain a stake in the Premier League club.
The report adds:
‘A date is pencilled in and an announcement could come as early as next month.
‘Sheikh Jassim’s team are now completing their due diligence on the club before they end the 18-year reign of the loathed Glazers.
‘United fans will rejoice in a 100 per cent sale as they feared the Americans were dragging their heels and would eventually cling on to a slice of the club.
‘The Glazers wanted to continue holding shares but were warned by senior Old Trafford figures there would be a huge backlash from the fanbase.’
Erik ten Hag is still looking to do deals for a midfielder, a back-up goalkeeper and a centre-back with just over a week left until the transfer window shuts.
His pursuit of a centre-back could be tricky, though, as it will probably require Harry Maguire – who came close to leaving for West Ham – to leave the club first.
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