Manchester United takeover news RECAP: Saga 'could drag into next season', Qatar report dismissed, share price latest

It's now approaching seven months since the Glazers issued a statement to confirm that they were open to selling Manchester United but the takeover process rumbles on.

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are the two parties vying to take control of the club. Ratcliffe is after a majority stake while the latter wants to secure full control.

As the takeover process continues to rumble on, the Premier League announced a significant rule change on Wednesday as they banned fully-leveraged buy-outs of its clubs.

The Premier League announced the changes in its regulation on Wednesday following its Annual General Meeting, with all members unanimously agreeing to the change.

The Glazer family financed the majority of their £790m purchase of United in 2005 through loans, some being secured against club assets. The Owners’ and Directors’ Test was introduced by the Premier League a year earlier to ensure that buyers are ‘fit and proper’.

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Manchester United's takeover process has been littered with frustration among the fanbase and the most recent reports that new owners may not be in place for the transfer window will only increase anger.

The seven-month takeover process has been typified by a week in which conflicting reports have led to confusion, with the final outcome being little tangible development. On Monday, Qatari media suggested Sheikh Jassim's bid was to be successful before backtracking amid denials from the banker's camp.

With the transfer window now open and the likes of Liverpool