The Manchester United takeover saga rolls on.
Wednesday's deadline for official offers was extended which meant bids from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe did not arrive as expected by 9pm. A third figure has gone public through with a rather unique offer and a flexibility about cooperating to form a consortium.
Several other proposals also arrived ahead of the deadline to Raine Group, who will scrutinise them once the extension expires. Here are the latest United takeover headlines:
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Zilliacus open to an alliance
Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus has admitted that he would welcome a joint-bid from any other interested party after submitting an offer to buy Manchester United.
The Finn, who has previously been the chairman of Finnish side HJK Helsinki, announced on Thursday that he had tabled a unique offer to try and complete a takeover of the club, saying that he would buy half of United and allow the supporters to buy the other half.
He submitted his offer through XXI Century Capital, who are an investment firm owned by his holding company. The bid comes via supporter involvement, allowing them to buy a stake in the club and have an equal say via an app.
Bafflement with bidders
A number of Manchester United supporters have been left confused about the prospect of a takeover at the club coming to fruition after their leading prospective buyers were granted extensions to submit second offers.
Both Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe were expected to submit their second bids to purchase the club ahead of Wednesday evening's 9pm deadline. However, both parties were granted extensions by the Raine Group, who are overseeing the possible sale of the club on behalf of the Glazer family.
Takeover questions answered
The current international break looks set to be anything but quiet around Manchester United with future ownership and investment at the centre of the news over the next week or so.
There was late drama on the Glazers' takeover 'deadline day' on Wednesday as neither Sir Jim Ratcliffe nor Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani saw their improved bids received by the New York merchant bank by the 9pm deadline, with both requesting extensions that were subsequently granted. A number of proposals were sent in time, however, with Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus putting forward a unique bid.
Senior football writer Tyrone Marshall was on hand around Thursday lunchtime to answer a multitude of questions.
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