Two of the leading contenders to take over as new owners at Old Trafford, Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have submitted final bids for Manchester United takeover.
The Glazers fixed a deadline for all final bids to be submitted on or before Friday, 28 April.
It was the third time the American investors have called for bids for Manchester United takeover after the previous two offers fell below their £6bn valuation of the club.
Now, it has been confirmed Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have submitted their final bids for the club.
With the Premier League season rounding up in few weeks, it is believed the Glazers will take a decision on the final offers as submitted by both parties, and others.
The final bid from Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has remained unflinching on his offer for Manchester United. Sources close to the UK investor have confirmed he has tabled a final bid worth £5bn.
His bid seems to be unpopular with Man United fans who want the Glazers to leave Manchester United totally without having any stake at the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to acquire over 50% of the controlling shares at Manchester United but the club’s debt, piled up by the Glazers over the years, will not be cleared.
Also, a clause on his bid allows the Glazers to still share ownership of the club by having at least 10% of shares at the club. He will also borrow to finance the takeover process.
This implies, should the Ineos owner beat his rival Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to become the new owner of Manchester United, the Glazers will still have a hand in the running of the club although as minority shareholders.
The final bid from Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani
Contrary to what Sir Jim Ratcliffe has offered, Sheikh Jassim wants a total ownership of Manchester United. He has submitted an estimated offer of £5.5bn, including bonus infrastrutural revamp offer, to take over the club.
Details of Sheikh Jassim’s bids reveals the Saudi investor wants 100% ownership of the club. He is also ready to finance massive infrastructural rebuild and is not borrowing to finance the takeover process unlike his rival. Also, all debts piled up by the club will be cleared.
Should the Glazers decide to sell Manchester United to Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, then it will be the end of their 18 years ownership of the club.
Sheikh Jassim’s offer seems popular with Manchester United fans who want the Glazers to relinquish their ownership of Manchester United totally.
Sheikh Jassim’s offer will free the Old Trafford club from debts accumulated by the Glazers in the past 10 years.
The Saudi investor is reportedly optimistic of taking over as the club’s new owner and is eyeing a mega transfer deal that could land one of his PSG’s top stars at Old Trafford if he takes over at Manchester United.
According to the Sun, Sheikh Jassim is already plotting a move to sign Neymar from PSG.
Neymar still has two years remaining in his PSG contract. He has been ruled out of the season due to an ankle injury but will return to the pitch next season
Between Sir Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim whose offer is best for Manchester United?
