Sheikh Jassim could have just days left to save Manchester United takeover

If the latest reports are to be believed, Sheikh Jassim's hopes of completing a takeover at Manchester United have just got slimmer.

The Qatari banker launched his bid for the club all the way back in February after the Glazers announced they were 'seeking strategic alternatives' last November. Sheikh Jassim emerged as an early frontrunner, although British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has remained firmly in the race as well.

Several rounds of bidding have followed since those February bids, before the Sheikh submitted a fifth and final offer for United in June having decided the current owners and the Raine banking group which is conducting the sale process have had ample time to seek or request clarification and revision of his offer.

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However, it appears Sir Jim has been more flexible. While it has long been mooted that the INEOS owner's takeover could see the Glazers remain in some capacity, reports have recently claimed he is open to taking an initial 25 per cent stake in the club ahead of a potential phased takeover.

On Thursday night a further report from Bloomberg claimed the Glazer family 'currently views Ratcliffe’s bid for a minority stake as more attractive than an alternative Qatari offer for the whole club'. It added that United's board could meet to discuss the latest proposal 'as soon as the next few days'.

If true, that could be worrying news for Sheikh Jassim. In a recent interview with INEOS.TV Ratcliffe said: "You can’t really contemplate acquiring a brand like Manchester United and failing because the failure is just far too public and excruciating in a deal like that."

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