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Manchester United bidders 'set for first talks with club over takeover'

Man United bidders 'set for first talks with club over takeover'
© Reuters
Manchester United's prospective new owners will meet with the club over the next two weeks, according to a report.

Manchester United's prospective new owners will reportedly meet with the 20-time English champions over the next two weeks to discuss their offers for the club.

Towards the end of last year, the Glazers revealed that they were open to selling the Premier League giants, and both Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have since submitted offers.

However, neither bid is believed to be close to the £6bn valuation that the Glazers have placed on the club, while there have been recent reports of a split in the family when it comes to the future of the Red Devils.

Both Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer are thought to now be leaning away from a full sale, and it is believed that their valuation would have to be dropped in order for a deal to go through.

According to The Guardian, both Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe will hold first meetings with Man United over the next couple of weeks to discuss their bids.

Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer and club CEO Richard Arnold on February 26, 2023© Reuters

The report claims that a sale could be 'in jeopardy' if there is not an agreement before the end of the season, as the prospective new owners would want to have a plan in place for the summer transfer window.

Towards the end of last year, co-owner Avram Glazer said that it was a possible that a full sale would not occur.

"It's not necessarily a sale, it's a process and we're going forward with the process, so we'll see what happens," he told The Athletic. "I'm here to really watch the World Cup but I appreciate your interest. That's the update, it's the process and the process is proceeding."

Apple, Amazon and Facebook were among the companies to be credited with an interest in the club when it was first announced last November that the Glazers were considering their position.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co-owners Joel Glazer and Avram Glazer in April 2019© Reuters

In the initial statement, which was posted on Man United's official website, the Glazers said that they would be 'considering all strategic alternatives'.

"As part of this process, the board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company," read part of the statement.

"This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club's commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club's men's, women's and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders."

The offers currently on the table are not believed to be more than £4.5bn, and it will allegedly be up to the Glazers to reconsider their position in order for a sale to occur.

On the field, Man United are currently preparing to resume their Premier League campaign, with Erik ten Hag's side in action away to long-term rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

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