Man Utd insiders hold Sheikh Jassim takeover belief after Jim Ratcliffe ‘delay’

Football Digest: Ratcliffe closes in on deal for 25% stake in Man Utd

Some key insiders within Manchester United have reportedly expressed their scepticism that Sheikh Jassim has completely withdrawn his interest in taking over at Old Trafford, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to buy a 25 per cent stake for approximately £1.35billion has since been delayed. There had been hopes that the Brit’s purchase would be approved at Thursday’s board meeting, but that no longer appears to be the case.

The Telegraph have claimed that although Ratcliffe is confident that his buy-out will be confirmed within the next fortnight, Thursday’s board meeting is expected to come too soon as some details still need to be ironed out.

As discussions continue with the INEOS chief as he looks to join the Glazers after failing in an attempt to replace them at Old Trafford, Jassim was said to have pulled out of the race completely.

However, key figures involved in Ratcliffe’s deal are not completely sold on the idea that the Qatari bidder has made the decision to walk away from the process. This comes despite Jassim’s side insisting that he is out after failing to reach a compromise with the Glazers on their valuation of the club.

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Jassim’s offer valued United at over £5bn for 100 per cent of the club, though it was deemed unsatisfactory by the Glazer family. Talks broke down and Ratcliffe, the only other main bidder, instead moved to conclude a deal for a minority stake with one eye on purchasing the club outright in the future.

The Qatari billionaire was prepared to make a full cash offer while guaranteeing further funds to clear the club’s debt, pledging a further £1.4bn to finance transfers, plans for a new stadium and training facilities alongside city and community projects.

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Jassim made a series of bids that culminated in his fifth and final offer in June, before losing patience with the prolonged process and clearing the way for Ratcliffe to close in on a purchase for a smaller stake than the INEOS chief had initially planned.

Though belief from within United that Jassim could return to the table must inspire optimism for the fanbase, who will be dismayed at the idea that despite Ratcliffe purchasing a 25 per cent stake and taking over the sporting side of the club – the Glazer family would retain majority ownership.

However, the only outcome that would see Jassim back in negotiations is either the Qatari billionaire meeting the Glazers’ valuation, or the family dropping their demands while Ratcliffe continues in his attempts to buy a minority stake in the club.

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