The Glazer family have reportedly received a bid from Sheikh Jassim for the takeover of Manchester United. With the Red Devils set to receive a huge cash injection if shares of the club are indeed sold, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham could face a fresh threat in the race for the Premier League title in future seasons.
According to Sky Sports, Sheikh Jassim submitted an offer worth just over £5billion. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly entered his bid but it is unclear whether the Elliott investment fund tabled a bid before the 10pm deadline.
Chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol said: "The [Sheikh Jassim] bid went in very close to the deadline, worth just over £5bn.
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"Significantly, as well as giving that money to the Glazers, Sheikh Jassim says there is another big pot of financing available to strengthen the squad, improve the infrastructure including the stadium, and to invest in the local community.
"People close to the Sheikh have been telling me they're convinced this is the best bid - there's not one that comes close to this. It's for 100 per cent of the club, it's debt free, and money will be made available not just to Erik Ten Hag but also for improving the infrastructure around the club; doing the kind of thing Man City have done in Manchester.
"They believe this is the best bid, the final bid they're going to make - now it's up to the Glazers. Are they really serious about selling Man Utd with a world-record bid on the table? It's not just exceptional for them, and will see them make an awful lot of profit, but the Qataris believe it's also the best offer for the sake of the club."
Then, when asked for an update on Ratcliffe and Elliott, Solhekol said: "If you're Erik Ten Hag or a Man Utd supporter you want something to happen quickly. What the Glazers and Raine will do next week, over the next few days, is look at these bids.
"Will they take £5bn, or for the sake of an extra £1bn they wanted, are they going to say no? It's an option, but there should be some more clarity next week."
If United unlock a new-found access to even greater funding then they stand a far better chance of signing Harry Kane, thus handing Chelsea a huge blow – though Tottenham wouldn't mind some extra cash.
With regard to Arsenal, they'll be hoping that they can keep the Red Devils at arm's length before they puff out their chests in the transfer market.
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