Improved bids to be submitted for Manchester United as takeover battle intensifies

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will both submit improved offers to purchase Manchester United from current owners, the Glazers.

They are the only two bidders to have gone public with their interest and have been the front runners for over a month. 

Manchester United officials met with potential buyers last week including Sheikh Jassim and Jim Ratcliffe. 

The Glazer family confirmed in November  that they were willing to consider strategic alternatives for a club they have owned since 2005. One of the options on the table was a complete sale. 

According to 90min, improved bids from both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were expected to be lodged on Wednesday night but both parties missed the deadline. 

When the bids do arrive, each is expected to be in excess of £5bn, a figure that eclipses the current world record paid for a sports team, set when the Denver Broncos were bought for £3.75bn last year.

 The eventual sale price for Chelsea was £2.5bn, with an additional £1.75bn pledged for investment.

It has also been reported that the Qatari bid is the favourite to succeed should the Glazer family agree to a full sale of Manchester United.