Manchester United negotiating exclusivity for Sheikh Jassim BUT takeover could take 8-12 WEEKS

Manchester United are negotiating granting exclusivity to the consortium led by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.

This information comes from Reuters, who added that the Qatari bid is currently viewed by the Glazer family as more favourable by the one made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

However, it was also mentioned that the situation remains fluid and a new bid from Ratcliffe could prevent Sheikh Jassim from securing exclusivity, although, if he indeed does secure it, then United would not be allowed to negotiate with any other bidder other than Sheikh Jassim.

Finally, the report was unable to clarify how long the period may last.

Simon Stone of the BBC has added that no exclusivity has been granted for the sale process yet, however, the aforementioned report did not state that exclusivity has been reached with Sheikh Jassim, but that they are negotiating granting it for the 41-year-old Qatari.

This comes shortly following the news that Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation had been officially registered in the United Kingdom.

However, The Times have come out against these reports, stating that the previously mentioned report about ‘negotiating granting exclusivity’ have been widely dismissed. It was also said that Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation being registered at Companies House has been described as insignificant.

The Glazers announced their intention to explore “strategic alternatives” , including a sale of the club, in November last year. However, the aforementioned report from The Times has added that a new owner at Old Trafford is unlikely to be in place before the start of the new domestic football season.

It was said whilst the Glazers are close to announcing the identity of a preferred bidder, the “approval process” before any deal is completed will take a further eight to twelve weeks.