The Glazers have appeared to U-turn and are willing to sell Manchester United for the right price - amid concerns that the family disagreed over the sale of the Premier League giants.
The club have been in takeover talks for months with several bidders coming to the table but the asking price has remained an issue. It didn't appear as though the Glazer family were all aligned regarding their view of what should happen, but the Financial Times understands they are now willing sellers at the right price.
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are the two men battling for control of the Premier League giants. The bids are manufactured differently with the Qatari looking to finalise a complete takeover with the promise of additional funds whilst the Brit is prepared to keep the Glazers on for a period before buying them out.
There had been fears that the Glazers were using the process, which is being overseen by the Raine Group, to guage how much they could make from a potential sale. "Strategic investment" was also being considered as the Americans seek a cash injection with funds low.
Someone who knows the family has said: “The Glazers are very slow decision makers who are deliberate in how they think about things. Joel [co-chair] takes forever on any decision he makes [and] this is a huge decision.”
Joel has the largest individual stake of his five siblings — Avram, Bryan, Darcie, Kevin and Edward — and controls roughly 19 per cent of the voting rights as they look to make a decision on the future of the club.
The Glazers have been the subject of huge fan anger and protests as they look to force them out of Manchester. Their lack of presence and communication has been a major problem, which has become even more of an issue with the club failing on the pitch for so long.
Their silence is very much a calculated decision though with one person whose worked with the family saying: “They have a family philosophy: nobody does interviews. If one of you gets the attention, no matter what, you start to feel it. That’s why they don’t talk to the media. It’s all about protecting the family.”
The Qataris had tabled a late offer and had planned to withdraw from the process but that bid looks to have got them back in the race and they believe they have the edge over Ratcliffe. Sheikh Jassim is ready to pour investment into the club with their infrastructure being neglected for years and copping criticism from outside.
