The Glazers are reportedly edging closer to selling Manchester United after months of bidding and tense negotiations.
The Glazer family remain in ‘advanced talks’ over the potential sale of Manchester United in spite of the radio silence coming from Old Trafford at present, according to reports. Sheikh Jassim has been leading a Qatari delegation bidding to take control of United from their current owners over the last few months, although Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal to purchase a 50 per cent stake in the club is still in the running to succeed.
There has been a distinct lack of news regarding the takeover process at United in recent weeks, with the Glazers yet to announce their preferred bidder despite receiving no shortage of offers for their stake in the club. However, it seems as though proceedings are ticking along smoothly behind the scenes at Old Trafford in spite of the current period of silence.
Advanced talks and ‘significant legal steps’ are still ongoing between the Glazers and those involved in the bidding process, according to CBS Sports. It is also said that Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe have been told to get everything ready in case they get the green light to begin the completion process, which could potentially take as long as two months.
It has been speculated in recent weeks that a takeover may have been delayed as a result of the Glazers mulling over whether or not to actually press ahead with the deal or perform a U-turn by staying at United for the foreseeable future. However, the Financial Times adds that all six siblings are indeed eager to sell the club, but only for the right financial terms.
The Glazer family are reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ to sell United this summer (Image: GETTY)
There has also been a lower volume of suitors than initially expected by the Glazers, which has meant that it has been necessary to drum up competitive tension and is also the reason why neither Sheikh Jassim nor Ratcliffe have been granted exclusivity as of yet.
It comes after United legend Gary Neville urged the Glazers to speed up the process in order to help Erik ten Hag and his players begin to prepare for next season without needing to worry about who will be in charge of the Red Devils when the first ball is kicked.
“[It’s] embarrassing but it’s what they have done, drag everything out, always in their best interests,” Neville told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Fans not being updated by owners on ownership sale not good enough but fitting with how they have operated for 20 years now.”
A preferred bidder is yet to be officially named by the Glazers despite months of negotiations (Image: GETTY)
Neville’s comments were later echoed by former United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov, who told Betfred: “The takeover needs to happen soon because then you have the security and the funds to buy players you need.
“Now is the time for Manchester United to go and challenge and if the takeover affects Erik ten Hag’s summer transfer plans, then of course he’s going to be angry as the club needs to be powerful in the transfer market to compete with Manchester City. Hopefully the takeover can happen soon so Erik can be given the funds to buy the players he needs.”
Source: express
