Sir Jim Ratcliffe is closing in on a deal for a minority stake at Manchester United and although the Glazers will retain majority shares should that offer be accepted, it has the potential to be the beginning of the end for the American family.
The Glazers announced in November they were 'exploring strategic alternatives' for the club and after almost a year, there is finally a sense that a breakthrough is feasible, albeit not the full acquisition that many dreamt of.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, whose proposal was for 100 per cent of the club, has walked away from talks due to the Glazers' outlandish valuation and that has put Ratcliffe in pole position in a gruelling takeover race. ALSO READ: United don't need Qatar's money to get what they want ALSO READ: Why Sheikh Jassim withdrew his bid The wheels came flying off long ago at Old Trafford and Sheikh Jassim was confident he was the best owner for the club.
His offer was for double the market valuation but sources described the Glazers' asking price as 'fanciful'. Sheikh Jassim's proposal promised an additional $1.7 billion for stadium redevelopment, the training ground and the first-team, while the Qatari bid would have also cleared the club's debt and created a separate fund for the community.