Manchester United owners will hold talks with Qatari group of investors over their bid to buy the club.
After years of protests for a change of ownership by fans of the red half of Manchester, the club is set to get new owners with deep pockets like its neighbours.
A group of Qatari investors interested in buying the club are planning to submit a strong takeover bid ahead of the February 17 deadline set by the Glazers for all interested parties to submit their bids.
Since the current owners of Manchester United, the Glazers, made their intent to sell the club public, there have been numerous speculations over which of the interested parties will win the bid to buy the club.
Who will become the new owners of the Red Devils?
Manchester United is one of the most valued football clubs in the world, and this will benefit the owners who intend to sell it. The Glazers purchased the club in 2005, they have held on tightly to it since then, but are now reported to be on the lookout for a sale at their set value of £6bn.
There is a tight race between interested parties. Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is also a Manchester United supporter, is set to go up against the Qataris for ownership of the club.
Bids are also expected to come in from interested parties in Saudi Arabia, and the USA. Fans will be on the edge of their seats as they watch their screens waiting for who comes out on top.
Bloomberg reports that the Qataris are prepared to start off their takeover bid with £5bn, a huge bid which is likely to position them at the forefront of the race.
Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani heads the Qatari group which looks most likely to be at the helm of affairs in United by March, as it is expected that the deal will be completed quickly.
Fans will be glad to see the back of the Glazers on their way out of the club and will expect the new owners to immediately get the ball rolling. A speedy takeover will ensure Erik ten Hag gets a transfer war chest for his targets in the summer transfer window.
It would be interesting to see if the bid will pass through the Premier League test as well as the reception from the fans. At this point though, United fans just want Glazers out in any way.
