Sheikh Jassim has taken a step towards a successful takeover bid for Manchester United with his company appearing to have been approved in the UK.
The Premier League giants are yet to confirm who their new principal owner will be after a battle between the Qatari banker and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which has dragged on for months.
The Glazers were tipped to finally decide on a preferred bidder this week, although reports in his native Qatar suggested Sheikh Jassim had already won the race on Monday.
Those claims were subsequently put to bed with the news outlet which was credited for breaking the news backtracking on their original suggestions.
However, it was confirmed by government agency Companies House on Thursday that a 'Nine Two Holdings Limited' foundation had been officially registered in the UK.
The company was 'incorporated' in the UK on June 15, with Sheikh Jassim listed as one of two directors, alongside Abdulrahman Al-Ansari. An address of Norwich Street in London has also been listed for the company.
Despite the developments being a positive step for the Qataris, the paperwork was sent to Companies House months ago, before the recent takeover bids. Nevertheless, the document is a sign that bidders have everything in place if - or when - they are chosen.
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Sheikh Jassim tabled an improved bid as recently as last week in what would be a complete buyout of United, ending the tenure of the Glazer family.
The developments come after former United skipper Rio Ferdinand suggested the Qatar bid had been successful, with confirmation expected imminently.
Ferdinand said on his Five channel on Youtube. “We are hearing the Qatari bid is the one that has been accepted, the one that is imminent and the one that is going to go through. Hallelujah, man. I cannot wait. Please let this happen.
“Look how long this has gone on for. The Glazers have dug their heels in. It will go to the biggest bidder which is normal in negotiations but I want this to be resolved before the transfer window kicks in and now it is opening and starting to move.
“I have woken up every day hoping that every day there will be a bid accepted. We are hearing that it is close. It will happen in a matter of days. If not a matter of hours. If it does not, we do not know how much money we have to spend and United will be playing catch up. So fingers crossed this information is really true – I have it from a good source that it is true.”
