Formal bids for Manchester United are expected to arrive in the coming days as a takeover of the club reaches a pivotal stage, according to reports.
The Glazer family hinted at an openness to sell United after a controversial 18 years at the helm, releasing a statement in November that revealed they were to 'explore strategic alternatives' regarding the future of the club.
News of a potential full sale has attracted interest from across the globe, most locally from Failsworth-born United fan and INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe - one of the richest individuals in the UK - as well as consortiums from across the US, Asia and the Middle East.
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According to the Mail on Sunday, formal bids are expected to be submitted via The Raine Group - the investment bank leading the sale - within the next week or so, although they will likely be some way below the Glazer family's valuation.
co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer are said to want between £6-8billion for a full sale of United, almost double the £4.25bn Todd Boehly spent on acquiring Chelsea last summer - although that price was thought to be affected by the speed with which Roman Abramovich was needed to cash in, following his sanctioning by the UK government.
The report adds that such a valuation - some way above the £3bn share price and the £4bn valuation - could put off potential suitors unwilling to enter the bidding war that the Glazer family are hoping for.
Petrochemicals billionaire Ratcliffe is set to be joined by Qatari Sports Investment in expressing their interest, although the Middle East fund, who currently own Paris Saint-Germain, are also exploring the possibility of buying Liverpool.
United have been marketing their potential sale and are said to be much further in the process compared to their Premier League rivals, with Avram Glazer flying to Qatar during the World Cup to hold informal meetings while the club also set up a stall in Davos during the World Economic Forum - a meeting of the globe's most powerful and rich individuals.
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