Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted an improved bid in his attempt to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family, according to several reports.
The Guardian said that the Qatari banker had upped his bid to buy the Premier League giants to £5.5 billion ($6.84 billion), which includes clearing a £1 billion debt and a fund solely for the club and surrounding community.
The Times, meanwhile, reported that Sheikh Jassim was offering to buy 100 per cent of the club for a price nearer to £5 billion.
Manchester United's shares were up 1.2 per cent when trading closed on Tuesday.
Both Sheikh Jassim, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, and his rival Sir Jim Ratcliffe had submitted what had been expected to be their third and final bids for the club last month.
Mr Ratcliffe’s last bid was thought to be for a stake of a little over 50 per cent, leaving Avram and Joel Glazer, two of the siblings who collectively own a majority share, with a 20 per cent stake – a proposal that has been met with disdain by many United supporters.
Officials and staff inside Old Trafford are eager for clarity over the takeover situation, which began in November when United announced that the board was exploring “strategic alternatives” to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale one option being considered.
Sheikh Jassim was the first prospective owner to publicly confirm a bid during the first round in February and was soon joined by Mr Ratcliffe, the Manchester-born owner of Ineos.
The first quarter of the year was initially recognised as a key time in a process that has rumbled on and threatened to overshadow United’s push for a Champions League qualification place.
February’s soft deadline was followed by a second deadline in March for those that progressed, with Raine Group, brought in to oversee the sale, then asking interested parties for their third and final bid on April 28.
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Fans take part in an organised protest march outside Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United match against Liverpool on August 22, 2022. PA -
Fans walk to the Old Trafford ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. PA -
Fans take part in an organised protest march outside Old Trafford. PA -
A man sells scarves outside the Old Trafford ground. PA -
Manchester United fans protest ahead of the Liverpool match. Action Images -
Fans arrive amidst high police security. EPA -
Fans arrive amidst police presence. EPA -
Fans arrive amidst police presence. EPA -
Police watch over fans outside Old Trafford. EPA -
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Old Trafford ahead of the Premier League match against Liverpool. Getty -
A banner protesting the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United outside the stadium before the match. Action Images -
Raphael Varane of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford and signs autographs for fans. Getty -
Scott McTominay of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Manchester United's David de Gea and Anthony Martial arrive at Old Trafford to face Liverpool. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes signs for fans at Old Trafford. Getty -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford. Getty -
Fred looks happy ahead of the Liverpool clash. Getty -
Christian Eriksen arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
A fan has a photo taken in front of a banner protesting the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United. Action Images -
Stewards outside the stadium before the match against Liverpool. Action Images -
A banner outside Old Trafford. Action Images -
A banner is displayed protesting the Glazer family’s ownership. Action Images -
Stewards outside the stadium before the match. Action Images -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. Getty -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. Getty -
Liverpool fans hold pictures of Manchester United's owners and sing songs in their support. AFP -
Police keep watch outside the ground ahead of an organised protest. Getty -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest. Getty -
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Shirts protesting about the Glazer ownership of Manchester United are sold outside the stadium. Getty
The Glazer family originally valued the club at £6 billion after it went on the market.
United fans have made clear their desire for a full buy-out from the Glazers, who have been unpopular since their leveraged takeover of the club in 2005.
The Manchester United Supporters' Trust has called for a swift conclusion to the process to allow new owners to be in place for the summer transfer window.
United's fortunes on the field have slumped during the Glazers' reign in charge.
They have not won a Premier League title since former manager Alex Ferguson retired a decade ago.
But United did end a six-year trophy drought earlier this season when they lifted the League Cup in Erik ten Hag's first year as manager.
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Manchester United's players celebrate with the League Cup trophy after their 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, February 26, 2023. PA -
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire lift the trophy. Reuters -
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag with coaching staff celebrate with the trophy. Reuters -
Manchester United's Diogo Dalot and Raphael Varane celebrate at the final whistle. AFP -
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez celebrates. AFP -
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Casemiro celebrate their victory. AFP -
Manchester United's Casemiro and Luke Shaw after the final whistle. Reuters -
Manchester United players celebrate their victory. AP -
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford celebrate after winning the League Cup final. AP -
Manchester United players celebrate winning the League Cup. PA -
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe consoles Bruno Guimaraes after the final whistle. AP -
Newcastle's Miguel Almiron, Fabian Schaer and Sven Botman after the game. AP -
Manchester United's Casemiro scores their first goal against Newcastle United in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, February 26, 2023. PA -
Manchester United's Casemiro scores the opener. AP -
Loris Karius of Newcastle United fails to save the Manchester United first goal scored by Casemiro. Getty -
Casemiro celebrates his goal. Reuters -
Manchester United players celebrate Casemiro's opening goal. Reuters -
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford's shot is deflected past Newcastle United goalkeeper Loris Karius for the second goal for Manchester United. EPA -
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring their second goal. AP -
Manchester United's David de Gea celebrates after Marcus Rashford's goal. Reuters -
Newcastle's Joelinton challenges for the ball with Manchester United's Casemiro, left, and Antony. AP -
Referee David Coote shows a yellow card to Manchester United's Diogo Dalot. AP -
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and Manchester United's Erik ten Hag on the touchline. AFP -
Callum Wilson of Newcastle United is spoken to by referee David Coote. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United passes the ball under pressure from Miguel Almiron of Newcastle. Getty -
Newcastle United's Sven Botman in action with Manchester United's Wout Weghorst. Reuters -
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe talks to Dan Burn. Reuters -
Wout Weghorst of Manchester United shoots. Getty -
Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes is challenged by Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes. AP -
Fabian Schaer of Newcastle United and Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United after clashing heads. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United receives medical treatment after a clash of heads. Getty -
Manchester United's Diogo Dalot in action with Newcastle United's Joelinton. Reuters -
Manchester United's Fred and Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff battle. PA -
Antony of Manchester United on the charge. Getty -
Newcastle fans wave flags before the kick-off. AFP -
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the stands before the match. Reuters -
Newcastle United fans at Wembley Stadium. PA -
Newcastle fans before kick-off. AFP -
A tribute to the late English football commentator John Motson at Wembley. Getty -
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan and director Amanda Staveley before the kick-off. AP
