Parties interested in purchasing Manchester United from the Glazers will submit their bids before 10pm as the Raine Group's deadline nears. Qatar are considered frontrunners for the takeover but face rival interest from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Raine, the US merchant bank enlisted to sell the club, will begin sorting through offers once the deadline strikes as the process moves forward.
Some investors seem to think the Glazers are about to complete a big-money sale of United after the club's share price in New York soared by almost 10 per cent on Wednesday.
Qatari investors will be confident in winning the bidding war that could reach up to £6billion.
And they have already drawn out a plan to redevelop Old Trafford, United's training ground and the city of Manchester.
There is also understood to be interest from China and Singapore, but the primary candidates in the frame will become clear beyond the 10pm mark on Friday evening.
Follow LIVE updates below...
Man Utd takeover deadline LIVE: Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe among suitors. (Image: GETTY)
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani, the chairman of one of Qatar’s biggest banks, has bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United ahead of the 10pm 'soft deadline'.
The group of Qatari investors interested in buying Manchester United have reportedly set a three-step plan should they complete a takeover of Old Trafford.
American bank Raine have set a soft deadline of 10pm on Friday for prospective bids to come in with Qatari investors set to put a £5billion bid on the table.
And Sky Sports claim that the group will plan to redevelop the club's stadium as well as investing heavily in the playing squad and wiping out the deby from the Glazers.
The Qatari investors planning to make a bid for Manchester United claim they can prove that they are completely separate to Paris Saint-Germain's owners.
UEFA rules prevent owners from holding majority shares in two clubs and Qatar's interest in United has prompted questions on their possible links to PSG owners Qatar Sports Investment (QSI).
But the Qatari investors interested in buying United are confident they can prove that they're a completely different entity while using Newcastle as an example.
“The PSG thing is not a problem," the source told I.
"If Newcastle can prove that they are not owned by the Saudi state, when their owners are called the Public Investment Fund, the clue being in the name, then the Qataris will have no trouble.”
Manchester United's deadline is fast approaching (Image: GETTY)
Finance expert Neil Joyce has detailed how investment in football teams have become "big, big business" following the recent takeovers at Newcastle and Chelsea with Manchester United set to join them with new owners.
Todd Boehly's consortium bought Chelsea for a record fee last summer while Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund completed their takeover of Newcastle in 2021.
The Glazers have looked to take advantage of the market by placing United for sale and their soft deadline closes this evening with bids from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Qatar and Saudi Arabia expected to be made.
"Football is big, big business from an investment standpoint," Joyce told Reuters.
"With all the investment that's come into the Premier League ... the likes of (Saudi Arabia's) PIF (Public Investment Fund) acquiring Newcastle United, Todd Boehly and his consortium buying Chelsea, they kind of set the threshold of what football clubs are worth.
"The bar's been set in terms of the value of sports teams and football teams in particular as brands."
Manchester United LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, the Rainbow Devils, have expressed "deep concern" over some of the bids to takeover the Old Trafford club.
The Qatari royal family are said to be involved in a bid to buy United ahead of today's soft deadline.
Same-sex relationships in Qatar are criminalised and the Rainbow Devils have released a statement on social media amid the speculation.
“Rainbow Devils believe any bidder seeking to buy Manchester United must commit to making football a sport for everyone, including LGBTQ+ supporters, players and staff,” the group said in a Twitter post.
“We therefore have deep concern over some of the bids that are being made. We are watching the current process closely with this in mind.”
The Rainbow Devils have expressed concern over the bids (Image: )
Erik ten Hag has admitted his staff and squad are 'following' Manchester United's potential takeover.
However, the Dutchman has stressed that he is focused on football and getting results to continue the club's strong season.
He said: "We are following it, it’s our club, and of course, we are committed, but we are focusing on football, on training and our way of play, and games. We are focusing on that."
Man Utd takeover deadline LIVE: Erik ten Hag has had his say. (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United don't need a 'sugar daddy', according to The Athletic's Oliver Kay, amid strong interest in a Qatari takeover.
The QIA is worth £368bn, but Kay believes that's not a fortune that United desperately need to achieve success.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "My position is that Man Utd do not need a sugar daddy but just need a sensible, careful and responsible owner.
"In this country, we are talking belatedly about proper regulation and football governance. It's too late, but that doesn't mean we should not be doing it.
"I get that money is very tempting. If you haven't won anything for decades, you'd happily take glory with strings attached, but I don't think we should have a blase approach to football."
If the Glazers surrender full control of Manchester United and go through with a full-scale sale, it will be the most lucrative deal in sports history.
The American owners are said to value the club at around £5bn but could push for £6bn to £7bn to relinquish their grip.
In 2022, NFL franchise the Denver Broncos became the subject of the biggest sale in sports history.
A consortium featuring Lewis Hamilton paid £3.84bn to take over.
Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital put forward £4.25bn to buy Chelsea, but £2.25bn was for the club and the other £2bn was for stadium redevelopment and other infrastructure.
The Qataris, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Saudi Arabia or another suitor are set to dwarf the Denver Broncos sale.
Qatar are determined to complete a takeover of Manchester United, but 'won't dance to the Glazers' tune' over their valuation.
The Glazers are said to value United at £5bn but could demand between £6bn to £8bn in what would be the largest sporting sale in history.
Sky News report Qatar plan to invest significantly in Erik ten Hag's squad, the club's training ground, the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the city of Manchester.
Qataris will spend substantial sums on restoring United to their former glories and already have the blessing of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, a supporter of the club.
The Raine Group, appointed by the Glazers to oversee the sale of Manchester United, are confident a takeover can be completed quickly.
According to The Times, United hope to be under new ownership before Easter, suggesting the next six weeks are set to be very eventful at Old Trafford.
The financial stature of those interested in buying the club should make a quick sale unproblematic, and the report claims Qatar will be hard to beat.
It would appear that judgement day has arrived in the Manchester United sale saga.
Interested parties have until 10pm this evening to submit their offer to the Raine Group.
Stay tuned for regular updates as and when they arrive throughout the day!
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy