According to reports, some “clarification” regarding the Man Utd takeover saga is “expected” next week when the club “return from their pre-season tour”.
The Red Devils have been up for sale since last November. At the time, the Glazer family announced that they would “evaluate all options” and a full takeover was on the table.
Since then, there have been three official rounds of bidding. INEOS’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim have emerged as the leading contenders to become the club’s new majority stakeholders but it remains to be seen who will win the takeover race.
While Sheikh Jassim is only interested in a 100% takeover, Ratcliffe is understood to be willing to keep the Glazer family on board with a reduced stake of around 20%.
It was initially hoped that a takeover would be finalised during the early stages of 2023 but this has proven to be an unrealistic aim.
Earlier this month, journalist Ben Jacobs claimed that the “bad news” for Man Utd is that “the transfer window could potentially close or be very close to closing before any prospective new owner – should they come in – has any influence.”
READ MORE: Andre Onana could change Man Utd more than any outfield transfer post-Fergie
Now Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol cannot say whether the takeover “is going to happen this window”. He also believes the Glazer family will end up being “involved at least in some capacity”.
“It’s gone very quiet but there are expected to be developments on the sale of Manchester United after the team returns from their pre-season tour of the United States next week,” Solhekol told Sky Sports.
“United announced in November of last year that the Glazer family, who own the club, were open to bringing in new investors or even selling the club. Everybody knows the two main bidders, Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“It has gone very quiet but there may be developments and some clarification next week. I think that would suit Erik ten Hag because he wants a resolution to this whole takeover saga. He’s been working hard trying to strengthen his squad in the transfer market this summer.”
Solhekol added: “I wouldn’t say the takeover is going to happen this window. The Glazer family have never said they are going to sell, they just said they were looking at investment opportunities which may lead to a sale.
“A lot of people involved, even people involved in the process, think this could end up with the Glazers being involved in at least some capacity. It is by no means certain that United will have new owners next season.”
READ MORE: £72m for Pepe? Really? Six times a PL club spent big when they already had a capable youth product
