Manchester United owners, the Glazers, are more in favour of a full sale rather than minority investment the club, it's claimed.
The Americans are currently weighing up their future at Old Trafford after almost two decades in charge. A takeover process has been initiated, which is being managed by the Raine Group, who helped facilitate the sale of Chelsea in the summer, with several parties keen.
The Glazers remain immensely unpopular with the fans, who are desperate for them to leave after years of them taking dividends out of the club. There was a fear that a minority investor could provide the cash injection they needed, whilst allowing them to remain in control.
Now though, according to the Daily Mail, a full sale is looking increasingly likely. Minority investment does remain in the process however, alongside complete takeover bids lodged by the likes of Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Gary Neville has previously cautioned against a minor investor coming into the club, warning them of the damage it would do. He said on the Overlap : "Strategic investment - which is something FSG are mentioning at Liverpool - that means that ultimately you buy part of the family out and leave Joel and Avram in.
"But what Joel and Avram will retain is running and control of the club - that is a nightmare scenario. I would any investor coming in to take out a minority stake, they will be very unpopular people and their brand will be damaged."
The bidding for United will now enter its third - and final - round with potential buyers lodging their best offer by the end of the month. There is a growing belief that the Glazers have not yet received their desired asking price, but that may be difficult to achieve given the investment required in Manchester.
Old Trafford and the club's Carrington training base have both been neglected for years and are no longer of the standard expected at a top European club. The club's recent financial figures have also shone a light on the debts on the red side of Manchester.
Neville has mocked the latest round of bidding on social media: "Taking it to a 3rd round is just classless. The market has obviously not given them the answer they want! It’s like they’ve made a pact to each other that they won’t go for less than £1bn each family member. (5 of them). If they stay in after all this it will be toxic!"
