Sheikh Jassim submits 11th hour bid to see off Sir Jim Ratcliffe offer

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has returned with a last-ditch improved offer to buy Manchester United, talkSPORT understands.

Offers for the Red Devils were made last month in another round of bidding for the Premier League giants.

A world record offer of £5billion was submitted by Sheikh Jassim, a sum that still falls short of the Glazers’ £6bn valuation.

Other reports have claimed that Ratcliffe, who had previous interest in buying Chelsea last summer, is the preferred bidder.

However, it seems as though the Qataris are still working hard to complete a takeover at United.

Their latest bid is expected to be the final attempt to take control at Old Trafford, but it is believed to fall short of rival Ratcliffe’s £5billion valuation.

It was expected that Ratcliffe and the Glazer family would open formal talks over a potential takeover at United this week.

Brothers Joel and Avram Glazer remain keen to retain a minority stake in the club.

AFP

It remains to be seen how the latest development impacts the decision from the Glazers, who took over at United in 2005.

However, Sheikh Jassim is clearly still hopeful he can complete a takeover in the coming weeks.

Although the summer transfer window is fast approaching, the drawn-out takeover process could affect United’s plans.

The club’s new ownership model may not be in place when the market opens.

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The Glazer family have been in control of the 13-time Premier League winners since the summer of 2005.