The two parties who have gone public with their interest in taking over at Manchester United could soon be told that their offers simply aren't enough.
The Telegraph report that Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of Qatari bank QIB, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Manchester-born billionaire who fronts the INEOS group, are set to be informed that neither of their bids meet what the Glazer family are looking for.
The value of both offers hasn't yet been released, but the report states that they are not close enough to the $5billion that the Glazers are seeking to sell the club which has been in their family's control since 2005.
Any full sale of United is set to be one of largest deals in sports history, but the possibility of the Glazers remaining in charge and minority investment coming into United is also a very real one.
American hedge fund Elliott Investment Management are one of the groups said to be eyeing a stake in the club, with a report claiming that they are willing to fund a £2billion redevelopment of United's neglected Old Trafford stadium.
Elliott are believed to be open to allowing the Glazers to remain in control of United, with that proposal - plus the much needed money for the stadium - perhaps the most interesting to Joel and Avram Glazer should they wish to remain in their positions.
That is because both Joel, and in particular Avram, are both said to be 'reluctant to sell' United, a stance which is in contrast to other family members Kevin, Bryan, Edward and Darcie Glazer, who are all looking to sell the family's 69 per cent shareholding.
Avram Glazer even plans to attend Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley, despite his unpopularity with supporters.
Qatar's Sheikh Jassim went public with his offer for the club in a statement last week, while Ratcliffe had previously confirmed his interest.
" Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club," read an official statement behalf of the Qatar bid.
"The bid plans to return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.
"The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the Club supports.
"The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.
"More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops.”
